Sunderland dad dies aged 31 after battling liver failure

Friends and family have been left heartbroken after the death of a 31-year-old father who suffered from liver failure.
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Sunderland dad Anthony Simpson known as “Simps” to those closest to him, died on April 7 aged just of 31 after battling liver failure since he was a teenager.

Anthony underwent a liver transplant two years ago at the Freeman Hospital, however the procedure was unsuccessful and he fell ill and died as he was preparing for a second transplant.

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Anthony, who worked as a Warehouse manager at T5 Seaham, leaves behind his wife Kathryn, 31, and their two-year-old daughter Melah.

Anthony Simpson with wife Kathryn and two-year-old daughter Melah.Anthony Simpson with wife Kathryn and two-year-old daughter Melah.
Anthony Simpson with wife Kathryn and two-year-old daughter Melah.

The couple, who married in 2016 and had lived in Tunstall, had been together for 11 years when Anthony died.

Now 31 of his school friends are set to complete a 27-mile walking challenge around Kielder Water on June 12 in memory of Anthony and to raise money for LIVErNORTH – a small charity based in the Freeman Hospital who provide accommodation and support for those who have family members undergoing liver transplants.

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Wife Kathryn said she hopes the walk will give the friends a chance to grieve together and remember their pal.

From left: Michael Kelly, Jonny Small, Marc Collins, Sean Archbold, Ryan Royal, Anthony Simpson, Aidan Collinson, Elliott Watt, Liam Mallaburn, Chris Price and Adam Minto.From left: Michael Kelly, Jonny Small, Marc Collins, Sean Archbold, Ryan Royal, Anthony Simpson, Aidan Collinson, Elliott Watt, Liam Mallaburn, Chris Price and Adam Minto.
From left: Michael Kelly, Jonny Small, Marc Collins, Sean Archbold, Ryan Royal, Anthony Simpson, Aidan Collinson, Elliott Watt, Liam Mallaburn, Chris Price and Adam Minto.

She said: “I know he would be very proud of them.”

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One of the organisers, Sam Riches, 30, from Doxford Park said: “Anthony was such a great lad, he was the nicest, caring and most loyal person that you could ever meet.

"We’re all really close and wanted to do something that we could all take part in so it was agreed that a walk would be a good challenge and we will all be able to remember Anthony along the way.

"There is such a determination among the group to prepare for the walk and then to go out there and just do it.”

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So far, the group of friends have managed to raise over £3,000 in under three weeks with an online fundraiser.

He added: “I think we are all surprised at how quickly we’ve been able to raise an incredible amount of money.

"LIVErNORTH are a very small charity so I’d imagine if we could hit £5,000 then that would be huge for them.”

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