THE partner of a young Barnsley dad who died just weeks after his cousin says the family have been overwhelmed with the support of the community following the two heartbreaking tragedies.

Ricky Warden died in his sleep aged 33 on June 8, having showed no signs of any complications in the run up.

His partner, 33-year-old Amy Mallin, said the whole family - including their children, six-year-old Henri and ten-month-old Maddison - have been left heartbroken.

She told the Chronicle: “He was really outgoing.

“He was the life and soul of every party or gathering he went to.

“He made friends with people no matter where he went.

“He was just so hard-working - he loved to provide for his family.

“I woke up at 5.30am with Maddison and he was non-responsive.

“I tried to wake him up but he’d already passed away.

“We’d been watching the boxing the night before and he was fine.

“We still don’t know what his cause of death was. We’re absolutely devastated.”

Ricky had been diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2015 - but had been given the all clear just last year, making his death even more heartbreaking.

Amy said: “He was diagnosed in March 2015.I made him go to the opticians because he was having issues with his eyesight.

“He didn’t want to but when they did some tests they said that they could see something and so he did a CT scan at Barnsley Hospital and then was taken to Royal Hallamshire where they operated on him the following Monday.

“They said that they couldn’t get it all out but you would never have known he was ill.

“It didn’t bother him at all.

“Because he was six-foot-four you couldn’t see his scars and if anyone ever asked he’d tell them that he’d been in a shark fight.

“Five years ago he was re-operated on and they managed to remove the tumour fully.

“He’s been going for MRI scans ever since and last year he had one and they said there wasn’t anything there.

“They told us that if the scan in 2026 was the same he’d be discharged.

“People speculate about his cause of death but I’ve told them it’s not this because he’d already been given the all clear.”

It’s been a devastating few months for the whole family after Alex Warden, Ricky’s cousin, died just weeks earlier on Easter Sunday.

Amy added: “They were really close.

“They always used to spend a lot of time with each other.

“Even after Alex had Rocco and we had Henri we still made sure that we made time for each other.

“Everybody is supporting each other right now.

“The whole family have come together.

“But so have the hospital and Henri’s school.

“Everyone has been amazing.”

When Ricky and Amy bought their house in Worsbrough, he was unable to take out life insurance due to the brain tumour diagnosis.

It’s subsequently made it harder for Amy as she has had to quit her job to look after Maddison.

But one of Ricky’s friends, Nathan Cox, is determined to help out - and on August 16 he will be taking on a 99-mile challenge.

He will run, cycle and walk 33 miles each - Ricky’s age - with all the money raised going towards supporting Amy and her children going forward.

Amy said: “Nathan messaged me a couple of weeks ago saying that he wanted to do a fundraiser but asked for my permission first.

“He’s doing the 33 miles because it was Ricky’s age and he’s doing three separate things for myself, Henri and Maddison.

“It’s so overwhelming that people are coming out to support us.”

Nathan said: “On Saturday, August 16 I will be taking on a 99-mile challenge - this isn’t just another charity event and it’s not just about miles.

“It’s personal.

“This journey is in memory of my dear friend Ricky, who tragically and suddenly passed away in his sleep.

“Each leg of the journey symbolises the love he had for his family who are the heart of this challenge.

“Amy hasn’t asked for help, but as a father myself I can’t begin to imagine the pain she’s enduring right now.

“I knew I had to do something.

“This is my way of trying to help - a small act in the hope of making a big difference.”

Follow the link to the fundraiser here and anyone wishing to take part is more than welcome to do so, click here for donation link.