Garry GilesMESSAGES of sympathy have been flooding into the family of sports-mad Garry Giles, who died on a charity run on Sunday, aged 29.

Mr Giles, the youngest of the three children of Dave and Di Giles, of Lockeridge, was about 400 yards from the finishing line in a ten-mile road race organised by Salisbury Fire Station when he collapsed.

Despite the efforts of paramedics who were with him within minutes, he was pronounced dead on arrival at Salisbury General Hospital. A post mortem examination has been held but has so far been unable to establish the cause of death and tests are continuing.

Mr Giles, a carpenter by trade, and his brother John just one year older, were virtually inseparable and did most things together, almost like twins, said their mother.

Both bought homes in Calne about a year ago and but still spent weekends with their mum and dad in Lockeridge.

John and Garry, together with close friend Matt Parson, travelled to Salisbury together to take part in Sunday's run. Super-fit Garry was well ahead of his brother and friend and neither was aware he had collapsed until they reached the finishing line.

John said: "We were each running our own race so we were not together; Garry was well in front. I thought he would be waiting for me at the finish."

Garry Giles was a keen sportsman from almost as soon as he could walk, said his mother.

Mrs Giles said: "His teacher at Lockeridge school used to say he was only happy when he had a ball in his hand."

He had never smoked and drank little, his parents said.

He excelled at soccer and cricket, playing for Marlborough Town FC and for Mildenhall Cricket Club.

His sister Mandy, brother and parents have been comforting each other at their Lockeridge home this week. Mrs Giles said: "We are an extremely close family and we are all helping each other through this but it hurts. We will get through this together.

"People have been so sympathetic and we have had lots of cards."

The parents said they never questioned their son's fitness or health because he was always very active.

His father said: "Sport was most of his life he lived for it."

Mr Giles carried an organ donor card and following his death his family told doctors they wished to comply with his wishes and make any of his organs available for others.