Tributes to ‘perfect son’ who died of a suspected heart attack a week before his 21st birthday
Devastated loved ones have raised thousands of pounds to give him the 'best possible' send-off
A POPULAR young lad who "infected everyone he met with happiness" has died suddenly of a suspected heart attack - exactly a week before his 21st birthday.
Daniel Dunmill is believed to have dropped dead at his home in Maidstone, Kent, last week while "laughing and joking" with his girlfriend.
His devastated dad Mark, 55, has today described him as the "perfect son" in a touching tribute.
He said: "From the moment he was born he lit up our lives.
"He was the perfect son and did us proud.
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"He was kind and always the first to help someone in trouble, he didn't think twice about it.
"He was just a young lad, laughing and joking with his girlfriend, and then this happens."
He was the perfect son and did us proud.
Mark Dunmill
In the days after his death, Daniel's girlfriend Brooke Tudor has told of her heartbreak at losing a "complete gentleman".
She said: "He was loved by anyone and everyone.
";No one ever had a bad word to say about him because there was simply nothing bad to say, he was honestly the loveliest man going."
Today Dan's oldest friend Chris Alchin wished his oldest friend a happy birthday on the day he would have turned 21.
It follows a memorial on Friday night where friends and family lit Chinese lanterns in remembrance of the 20-year-old who "infected" everyone he met with happiness.
“It breaks my heart every time I think about him not being here anymore," Chris told the .
“Dan had grown into such a nice, caring man, and the bestest friend.
Dan had grown into such a nice, caring man, and the bestest friend.
Chris Alchin
"When we were in school he was always getting us into trouble, but it was fun, and he always made me laugh.
"Dan infected everyone he met with his happiness, and it was hard for anyone not to love him as he got on with everyone."
Chris set up a page to raise £500 to help Dan's family hold the "best possible funeral for a man who deserves so much".
But within hours the record had been smashed and so far loved ones have raised £3,473.
A spokesman from Mr Dunmill's former school, Oakwood Park Grammar, described him as an "outgoing and friendly student", who was a member of the fencing team and took part in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme.
His death is being treated as unexplained.
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