TRIBUTES have been paid to a hugely popular 21-year-old who died just hours after collapsing in an Abertillery street.

Rhys Sterry had been out for a drink with his uncle, Ryan Sterry, and friends in the town on Sunday when he collapsed on Somerset Street.

His uncle said they were on their way home when his eyes shut and he collapsed.

His father Jeff Sterry, 46, thanked two off-duty nurses who helped Rhys before paramedics arrived.

He was taken to Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny where he was pronounced dead on Monday morning.

Mr Sterry said his son was “one in a million” adding: “I was very proud to call him my son.”

Rhys’s mother Michelle died when he was six months old after suffering an asthma attack and grandparents David and Brenda Sterry helped Mr Sterry bring him up.

The former Abertillery Comprehensive School pupil was always keen to work and joined RF Brookes in Rogerstone at 18.

He had been going to Falcons martial arts in Abertillery from the age of nine and used to play football with Llanhilleth Junior Field Rovers.

His father said he would still turn up to support the others even when injured.

His dedication was rewarded in 2005 when he received the Gordon Townsend Memorial Award.

Mr Sterry said his son was born with asthma but enjoyed keeping fit and had started weight training.

He said: “The asthma didn’t bother him. He just cared about everybody else.”

Mr Sterry’s partner Emma Bates said Rhys was sensitive and thoughtful.

She said he had lots of friends but also loved spending time with his family.

His uncle, Ryan Sterry, said: “If my two boys, Alex and Kian, grow up half as good as Rhys then that’s good enough for me.”

Mr Sterry said they have been overwhelmed by the support the family has received.

Rhys also leaves behind his grandmother in Cwm and friends and family in Tredegar and Canada.

The funeral will be held at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Abertillery on July 30 at 11am followed by Gwent Crematorium at 12.30pm.

Rhys remembered with flowers and photographs

CARDS, poems, photos and at least 40 bunches of flowers, pictured left, have been left on Somerset Street dedicated to Rhys Sterry.

One card said: “Gone but never be forgotten” while another read “so sorry that you’re gone you will be missed by everybody. Sleep tight.”

Many cars also gathered in Abertillery’s Tesco car park on Monday night in tribute to Rhys while local cage fighter Chris Edwards said he will be dedicating his next fight to the 21-year-old.