A CHARITY champion who devoted his life to others despite having lost his sight died of an accidental drugs overdose of pain relief medication, an inquest heard.

Diabetic Kevin Connelly, 25, who suffered constant leg pain, had kept his deteriorating condition from his family, Burnley Coroner’s Court was told.

Tragedy struck when the former Park High School pupil, of Burrans Meadow, Colne, took a fatal combination of codeine, anti-depressants and anti-nausea medication, some time before January 4 this year.

Stepfather Steven Whittaker, a HGV driver, said Kevin had been “turning his life around” at the time of his death.

Renowned in Colne as a fundraiser for Guide Dogs for the Blind, he had lost his sight nearly three years ago because of his diabetes.

An inquest heard that he had set his heart on undertaking a nursing course, before his eyesight failed.

Mr Whittaker said: “He really was upset at having to give up his nursing course, even more than losing his eyesight, because it was something that he really wanted to do.

“He got around this by working with the Samaritans and doing a counselling course at Nelson and Colne College.

“He got a guide dog at the age of 23 but he took a lot of medication because of his illness and had a lot of trouble with his legs.”

Coroner’s officer PC Stephen Rothwell confirmed, after making checks with Colne Health Centre, that Kevin was prescribed a stronger painkiller, containing codeine phospate, last October.

Pathologist Dr Abdul Al Daoud, who conducted a post-mortem examination, said there were high levels of morphine in the deceased’s system. The death was attributable to a combination of drugs.

Mr Whittaker said Kevin was usually “methodical” about taking his medication and used a pill box to ensure he took his tablets regularly.

His mother June Whittaker added: “Kevin was not one to moan about his pain – he just got on with his life.

“We were so proud of him because he didn’t let anything faze him. He was a very caring lad.”

The inquest heard that Kevin also had to cope with the death of his natural father, who lived in Carlisle, three years ago, The Liverpool FC mad young man was dressed in his favourite team’s colours for his funeral and had previously recalled a trip to Anfield, for his 21st birthday, as one of his happiest memories.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, East Lancashire coroner Richard Taylor said: “Your son was someone who was very caring and someone of whom you were exceptionally proud.

“As I understand it he had not wanted to foist his own problems on to anyone else and just got on with it.”

Charlie Collins, Lancashire district fundraiser for Guide Dogs for the Blind, said: “Kevin was brilliant really.

“He raised £5,000 for us to name a guide dog and this was even before he got his own dog Pixie.

“Then became a speaker for us and I went with him into a few schools to talk about guide dogs and fundraising and he was quite involved with our Burnley area branch.”

Charlie said that, in accordance with the wishes of Kevin and his family, Pixie had been retrained and was now working with a blind woman in the Isle of Man.