A NEWPORT pastor has died suddenly at the age of 33.

Father-of-four Daniel Gaweda collapsed at a gym and died nine days later at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, on October 30.

Mr Gaweda, from Bettws, leaves behind his wife Cat and children Noah, Leah, Caitlin and Hudson.

Friend Lewis Roderick said Mr Gaweda had not been unwell in the days before his death but was working out at the gym when he collapsed and lost consciousness.

He said Mr Gaweda was taken to hospital after suffering bleeding to the left side of his brain but never regained consciousness.

He said Mr Gaweda was a “deeply loved” husband, father and member of the leadership team at Christchurch Newport, based in Malpas.

He was a pastor at the church and was responsible for the church’s work with children, including its KidzClub, and its mercy ministries projects.

Mr Roderick said he was also involved in establishing the project Bettws Helping Hands and a food bank for local people.

Mr Gaweda started work at Christchurch Newport around ten years ago after moving to Wales to study accounting at university.

He also spent a year living in Washington DC while studying at Bible college.

Mr Gaweda was a trustee of the community project Bettws First and a governor at Monnow Primary School.

Mr Roderick said: “Despite his own desire to play his role in the background, Dan was known across Newport as a man who was determined to welcome and love all people, no matter who they were or what they’d done with their lives.

“Generous with his time, gentle in his demeanour, conversations with Dan would invariably mean speaking more than you were spoken to; Dan’s heart was to listen and care.”

He said his loss will be felt throughout Newport.

Monnow Primary School head teacher Meryl Echeverry said Mr Gaweda made an “invaluable contribution”

to the lives of the pupils and staff.

She said he had a generous spirit, was kind and very dedicated to helping people.

She said the school was shocked and devastated to hear of his death and said it has affected the whole Bettws community.

Mr Gaweda’s funeral will be held at the Christchurch Centre in Newport at 10.30am on November 14.