A COLLEGE is raising money in memory of a former student who died after waiting too long for a lung and heart transplant.

Josh Parker, a former Plumpton College student, died in October aged 21.

He was not considered suitable for a transplant after spending five months on a waiting list.

Josh was 13 when he was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension (PH), a rare and serious condition caused by the thickening and stiffening of the blood vessels supplying the lungs.

His former college is dedicating its Raising And Giving Day (Rag) to a charity which provides information, offers support and funds research to tackle the disease.

Josh’s parents, who did not want to be named, said: “Although Josh’s life was cut short, he took everything that life threw at him on the chin and made the most of every day.

“When Josh was born the main arteries to his heart were plumbed the wrong way around and he underwent several lots of open-heart surgery in the first year of his life to correct this.

“Josh enjoyed a full and active life however, at age 13, he was diagnosed with PH.

“Despite this, quite inspirationally, Josh continued as he always had, determined that his PH would not stop him doing anything.

“He went on holidays abroad, mountain biking in the Alps, travelled around Europe in a campervan, swam in the sea, went camping, kayaking, shooting and learned to drive, to name a few.”

Josh’s health began to deteriorate in January, last year and he was put forward for an emergency heart and lung transplant.

The parents said: “After many months spent waiting in hospital for a donor, in June Josh was no longer considered suitable for transplant.

“He spent the last four months of his life at home and sadly passed away in October.”

Josh studied agricultural machinery at Plumpton College for two years from 2015.

The college is now dedicating its Raising And Giving Day to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association UK (PHA UK).

For the day, lessons will be cancelled and staff and students will host a variety of activities and challenges in the bid to raise money.

Iain Armstrong, chairman of the PHA UK, said: “We are so grateful to Plumpton for choosing us as their charity to support during Rag Day.

“One of the challenges of having PH is that so few people have heard of it so this is a brilliant way of raising awareness too.

“Thank you to everyone for their support in memory of Josh.”

Although pulmonary hypertension is a disease that can affect anybody at any time, it is not widely understood in the UK and can often be misdiagnosed or mistaken for high blood pressure or even asthma.

The PHA UK is committed to helping raise awareness of the condition among the general public, healthcare professionals, policy makers, funders and politicians.