FAMILY and friends of Chippenham hockey player Sam Copeland have paid tribute to his fun and sense of adventure.

The 21-year-old, of Monkton Park, Chippenham, suffered from cystic fibrosis and died last month while waiting for a lung transplant.

A celebration of his life last week was attended by so many people that not all were able to squeeze inside the chapel. Among them was a coachload of friends from University of Portsmouth where he played his favourite sport.

The former Sheldon School pupil was diagnosed soon after birth and overcame frequent coughing fits caused by excessive mucus on his lungs to become a valued hockey player representing his county.

Samuel had also been part of the 10th Chippenham Scouts, FC Chippenham Youth and Biddestone Cricket Club among others. He studied maths at the University of Portsmouth and had a Saturday and holiday job at Sainsbury’s in Chippenham. 

His family have found comfort in more than 130 cards and hundreds of moving comments online about Sam’s “cheeky smile” and multiple achievements.

“It’s just been overwhelming,” said his mum, Dawn.

“The time he had was definitely important to him. He would rather have lived a shorter life than existed a longer one.

“He had a huge sense of adventure, no fear. He was fun and loved being with people. He seemed to have a way of getting away with saying things that other people wouldn’t have.”

Dad Lawrence said: “We have found it extremely comforting to read the things people have said about him.

“Just because you’ve got cystic fibrosis it doesn’t mean you can’t do things. We treated him the same as our other two children. All the other clubs they went to, he went to too. It didn’t occur to us that he wouldn’t follow suit, should he want to.

“With some people with cystic fibrosis there is a tendency to wrap them up.

"We took the view that he’ll do what he can, we’ll keep him as long as we can and hope they find a cure before it’s too late. And then unfortunately it was.”

John Cull, president of Chippenham Men’s Hockey Club, said: “Samuel was an extremely good hockey player, always reliable with an uncanny ability to beat players with both skill and speed. He never shirked a tackle.

“He also more than played his part off the field, always ready for a party and always full of laughter.

"There were many late nights of celebrations after games where he made sure that his playing friends lasted the pace and did not go home too early.

“He was, above all, a great guy to have as part of the club.”

More than £7,770, including an anonymous donation of £1,000, has been pledged on a Just Giving website for research into a cure, set up by Samuel’s sister and brother, Elizabeth, 24, and Ben, 23.

One donor Paul Weller, who was Samuel’s head of year at Sheldon School, said: “Sam you always brightened up all our lives from the moment you started in 2004. From ski trips to playing hockey you will be remembered by us all in the year group 2004-09.”

Ian Beveridge said: “Sam was an inspiration to us all - it was always about what he could do in life and not what he couldn't, and he certainly did rise to so many challenges and achieve so much.” 

Donations to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust can be pledged at www.justgiving.com/Samuel-Copeland