The family of a man who died from a massive heart attack while playing cricket have donated £2,600 to help fund research into the condition.

Nigel Watkinson, 53, suffered the attack as he batted for Blaby Village Cricket Club on Saturday, September 6 – the day of his 28th wedding anniversary.

His widow, Justine, 46, from Whetstone, said: "There were no symptoms. He just went off to play cricket and I got a call saying he had fallen or collapsed on the pitch and had been taken to hospital."

Doctors at Leicester Royal Infirmary told her he had suffered a massive heart attack.

The couple had planned to celebrate their wedding anniversary the following day.

Nigel's family have donated the cash to the £1 million public appeal to buy equipment for a new cardiovascular research centre.

Justine said: "I wanted to do something to raise money for heart research – something which could look into family histories and perhaps save other families going through what we are going through.

"Donating to the new cardiovascular research centre seemed to be a really worthy cause."

The money has come from a collection at Nigel's funeral, a further £1,000 from Justine's brother-in-law, Nick Doyle, from Wigston, who ran the Leicester half-marathon, and other donations.

Justine is delighted with the amount raised.

She said: "Donating this money to the new centre will be a lasting tribute to him, and if it can help in any way it is a massive contribution."

The University of Leicester, the British Heart Foundation and other organisations are funding the £12.6 million cost of building the heart research centre, due to open in July at Glenfield Hospital.

It will bring scientists, doctors and patients together to develop life-saving research and techniques.

The £1 million appeal, which has reached £400,000, will pay for the equipment the centre needs.

Each year, more than 17,000 patients with heart problems are seen at Glenfield Hospital.

Such patients will be given the chance to volunteer to take part in research and trials in the new centre.

Professor Nilesh Samani, British Heart Foundation professor of cardiology at the University of Leicester, said: "Very few families are not touched in one way or another by heart disease. More than 175,000 people die of cardiovascular diseases each year in the UK, more than 50,000 prematurely.

"Despite these grim statistics, through research there has been remarkable progress in the prevention, management and treatment of cardiovascular diseases in the last 30 years.

"Research in Leicester has made a significant contribution.

"The new research centre will benefit patients by taking the research and new treatments and diagnostic tests from the laboratory bench to their bedsides more quickly."

To donate to the appeal, call 0116 223 1071 or text LIFE41 and the amount you wish to donate to 70070, or go to:

www.le.ac.uk/crcappeal