Dad's campaign aim in memory of Louis

Stanley Greening is still coming to terms with loss of 24-year-old Louis, who collapsed and died earlier this month after suffering a deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

The 56-year-old artist, originally from St Annes and now living in Bedfordshire, still breaks down in tears at the memory of his Louis struggling for breath and crying ‘What is happening to me, dad?’ as paramedics battled in vain to save his life.

At the time, the family had no idea what had caused previously totally healthy Louis to fall ill - with ‘under the weather’ feelings of a few weeks earlier put down by the family GP to food poisoning and leg discomfort attributed by Louis to an apparent pulled muscle.

But following the DVT verdict, Stanley reckons it was an indirect result of the coronavirus lockdown – and is determined to that Louis’ legacy will be to help other people avoid the same fate.

‘Stand Up For Louis’ is the name of his campaign, which he is launching nationally – and he is eager to issue the warning that the deadly condition can happen to anyone.

“I still can’t believe he has gone,” said Stanley. “I am in a living hell - but I am determined that Louis will leave a legacy.

“It is vital to increase awareness of this potentially deadly condition.”

Louis, who had a spell as a teenager at Blackpool Football Club studying on a coaching course and volunteering on the club’s community scheme, had an ambition to go into coaching after graduation from the University of South Wales.

But he was working as a barista in a coffee bar at a holiday park close to his Bedfordshire home when lockdown started and was put on furlough.

The free time he found himself with was filled more and more with the computer games for which he had always had a passion – but no-one ever imagined they would result in such a shocking fate.

“After being furloughed he took to his gaming world to escape – caught up in a virtual world he became less active, so easily done,” said Stanley.

“Hours fly by when absorbed by the screen, I’ve done it countless times myself, but no one, absolutely no one, ever in a million years would have predicted a blood clot – and just like that, it ripped my son away and I died inside along with him.

“But I shall continue to spread this warning in his name – this terrible thing was preventable had he or we known such risks.

“It is very rare in such circumstances but speaking to medical professionals I discover there has been a number of cases in youngsters during this lockdown.

“Like many, I associate it with older people and something we are warned about on planes.

“As more and more of us are working from home it is likely you are not getting out your chair as much as you need.

“Stand up, walk around, and please, warn your kids. If I can prevent one loss in my son’s name then that’s one bright light that will shine on Louis - so Stand Up For Louis.”

Stanley, whose mum and step-father still live locally, is also raising money in Louis’ name for the Youth Sports Trust and donations can be made by clicking onto

www.memorygiving.com/louisoneill