Stephen Lee was 61 years old when he suffered a cardiac arrest at his home in Peterlee on 13 December 2017.

The emergency services were called, and both the North East Ambulance Service and the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) responded to the scene and tried to save his life.

Recalling what happened, his daughter Sophie Lewis, who was aged 22 at the time, said: “My dad became very poorly very quickly. The paramedics were called and began working very suddenly on my dad and at this point GNAAS arrived.

“We remember the air ambulance staff being so professional that night. Dr Mike spoke with so much compassion and was very knowledgeable about what he was doing. There was so much equipment that was brought to my dad’s aid. Despite the best efforts of all the team my dad sadly passed away. We were heartbroken as a family; we did everything together.”

Stephen was regarded as a devoted family man who went above and beyond for his loved ones, including his elderly mother and father and mother-in-law.

He also enjoyed holidays with his wife Denise and daughter Sophie, especially Salou where they went every year, as well as trips to Torquay, Blackpool, Skegness and Whitby.

Speaking about her dad, Sophie said: “My Dad was a family man, he did everything for his family. He enjoyed his sports, especially when he was younger, he was a long-distance runner and every sport he put his mind to he was always top of the class.

“He loved watching the football especially Sunderland playing, he particularly used to enjoy watching the football with his son-in-law Cameron, however he was a Newcastle supporter.”

Following Stephen’s passing, Sophie suffered with anxiety and depression and later on PTSD, while his wife Denise was depressed and truly heartbroken and Stephen’s parents were devastated losing their son.

Sophie said: “As time went on it was so difficult to find a purpose and a reason to get up on a morning, so we decided to get a dog. We got Leo in February 2019 and he was a beautiful Shar Pei puppy.

“Shar Pei’s are typically a stubborn dog but the most loyal loving dogs with their families and we thought Leo would fit him perfectly as that was my dad’s childhood nickname.

“We have had Leo now nearly eight years and he is the best dog we could wish for, he gave us a reason to smile and laugh and he is so similar to my Dad in so many ways.”

The family have since taken Leo to several dog shows and events catered for dogs including attending GNAAS’ Whirlybird Woof Fest, which is a family fun day, and also collectively raised thousands of pounds to support the work of their local air ambulance.

Sophie said: “As a family we try to raise as much money as we can for the charity because they gave my dad a chance, a small chance at survival, and for that we will always be grateful to them.”

“My husband Cameron Lewis has ran the Great North Run seven times and he’s raised over £5000. I did the Boxing Day dip with my best friend Shannon and raised over £300, and Leo contributes by strutting his stuff at the dog shows.

“We will continue to raise as much money as we possibly can for GNAAS as it is such an amazing charity, and the paramedics, doctors and pilots are incredible.”