THE family of a man who died after undergoing two heart transplants is fundraising to cover funeral costs and for memorial benches in his name.

Darren Mitchell, from Standlake, died on February 14, aged just 33.

The former Bartholomew School pupil bravely fought back from a heart transplant when he was 13, and a second in 2018.

Now, his family has raised more than £4,000 to fund two benches, one at the fishing lake in Standlake, and the other at Harefield Hospital in Uxbridge.

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Mr Mitchell’s mum, Lorraine, said: “When he had the first transplant, he was 13 and there’s not many people who have a second one.

“Out of the blue, one weekend he was quite ill and was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy.

“It meant he had heart failure and an enlarged heart, he couldn’t play football or walk very far.

“He had to wait for a donor and after two weeks, he had an adult heart fitted because it could fit.

“He had that transplant in March 2001 and everything was fine, he was able to have a normal childhood.”

However, in 2010, Mr Mitchell had a heart attack, which saw him have stents put in his arteries, as well as a defibrillator fitted.

Darren Mitchell received his first heart transplant when he was just 13. Picture submitted by family

Darren Mitchell received his first heart transplant when he was just 13. Picture submitted by family

“The news in 2010 was devastating, he kept being given life expectancies of a further six months, then three months – it was an emotional rollercoaster, but Darren was a fighter,” said Mrs Mitchell.

“He had something to live for and wanted to see his nephews and nieces be born.

“In 2016, things kept getting worse – they don’t do too many second transplants, and this time he waited for 13 months and got the transplant in December 2018.

“He was quite poorly afterwards, and in intensive care and on dialysis.

“They kept him in a coma until February and it was an uphill struggle when he came out the coma.

“He got his quality of life back, but then in October last year, he started getting out of breath again and feeling unwell.

Darren Mitchell loved the outdoors and his dogs. Picture submitted by family

Darren Mitchell loved the outdoors and his dogs. Picture submitted by family

“He already had trouble with his kidneys but they kept filling with fluid.

“He had a lot of chest pain three or four weeks ago while out walking the dog, and he was admitted to Harefield, and had all sorts of tests.

“On his birthday, they said they could do no more as his arteries were hardening.

“We were FaceTiming him and making plans for him to come out, and then the next day he passed away.

“Everybody feels a bit lost, we all know that the transplant would only last 10 years or so but Darren was a fighter.

“We’re just grateful that he had two donors to give Darren that third chance of life, and it’s important to raise awareness.”

To donate, please visit: gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-dazza