Daniel Yorath died suddenly at the age of 15 while playing football in his garden in 1992.

The teenager, who had just signed schoolboy forms with Leeds United, was found to have cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle which is the biggest medical cause of sudden death in the under 35s.

His cousin John Walker was also a promising footballer and used to attend games with him.

When a friend from college told him she was running the New York Marathon on November 2 for the Cardiomyopathy Association's Daniel Yorath Appeal, set up by his family after his death, he decided to take part as well.

John, from Waincliffe Drive, Beeston, said: "Daniel was three-and-a-half years older than me and like a big brother, encouraging me in my football.

"We were very close and used to see each other a lot. I played football with him and he used to come on holiday with us.

"It was such a shock when he died. Nobody could understand what had happened and all the family had to have tests. It's such a terrible condition that affects young, healthy people and can just come out of the blue

"All the money raised by the appeal goes to screening to help save lives so is definitely worthwhile."

John, a 29-year-old joiner, used to play football for a host of local teams, including West Yorkshire Under 18s and Mount St Mary's High School in Richmond Hill where he was captain for five years.

He has just started training for the marathon by road running and gym sessions, using a training programme devised for him by the personal trainer of Daniel's sister, TV presenter Gabby Logan.

John is going to New York with Michaela Begley, who was a fellow student at Notre Dame Sixth Form College, and Ruth Innes, both 28 and directors of a Leeds customised tailoring company.

Michaela knew Daniel because they both attended Cardinal Heenan High School in Meanwood.

She explained: "I got to know Daniel when the school was running a football charity fundraiser and he was joint first in the competition. I was very upset when he died and it brought back the sadness of a similar tragedy in my family a few months before."

They hope to raise £10,000 and as well as sponsorship are holding fundraising events.The first was a New York-themed party last week and a charity gig featuring John's band Evil Regent is being planned for September.