Firework tribute to bonfire boy

FIREWORK mortars were let off in the best Lewes bonfire tradition on Monday to mark the passing of Matthew Miles, 35, who died suddenly at his Queens Road home on June 4 from coronary artery thrombosis.

More than 150 people attended Matthew's funeral and cremation in Brighton, followed by a reception in the function room of The Dorset Arms, Lewes.

Matthew, a builder, was a keen member of Cliffe Bonfire Society and a founder member of its Cliffe volunteer fire brigade section.

Said Cliffe chairman Andy Freeman: 'He was a valued member who was always ready to lend a hand. He will be missed.'

His widow Linda, 33, this week told the Express that on the evening of June 3, Matthew, an apparently perfectly fit young man, developed a stomach upset.

'I had the same thing the previous day. It was a bug,' she said. 'The next morning he was still ill and I called the doctor out. He confirmed that it was a bug and told him to stay in bed and keep warm.

'Three hours later he was dead.'

It is not thought there was any connection between the sickness and Matthew's death. A post mortem confirmed that he died from a massive blood clot in his heart.

He leaves three children, Thomas, 10, Jessica, eight, and Harry, six.

Thomas plays for Bridgeview junior football club and Matthew was a supporter. Shortly before the junior team went on a playing trip to France, he bought them all England soccer hats.

Matthew was also a season ticket holder at Brighton and Hove Albion.

Both clubs sent flowers.

Matthew attended Lewes Technical College and then started work with Philcox Brothers. Later he joined Cheesmurs as a carpenter.

He became a site agent and then this year formed his own building contractors firm with a friend.

He had a passion for fund-raising for Leukaemia Research and took part in walking, running, abseiling, rock climbing and bungee jumping events to raise cash for the charity.