Friends have paid tribute to a popular father-of-two, Nick Sketchley, who passed away last week.

He died after leaving work at Kent Trade Frames, Church Farm, Bobbing, the family windows firm run by his parents, Bernard and Chris.

A South East Coast Ambulance Service spokesman confirmed a medical car and two ambulances were called at 1.20pm to a premises in Sheppey Way, Bobbing, after reports a man in his 30s had collapsed and gone into cardiac arrest.

He said CPR had been carried out on the man before crews arrived. Medical teams continued the procedure but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Described as fun and outgoing, Nick, 38, of Crouch Hill Court, Lower Halstow, was a keen darts player, skydiver and karting enthusiast.

His friend John Butler, 34, of Minster, said: “Nick and I were like-minded people - we both liked sky diving and go-karting.

“He was somebody who was always up for doing anything, and he’d recently been keeping fit, looking after himself, so he could go karting and skydiving.

“He had a full skydiver’s licence, and we were going to dive together at Headcorn so he could get it renewed.

“Nick was full of energy with such a lot to give - it’s such a terrible shame this has happened.”

In May last year, Nick and his brother Rob drove more than 2,000 miles across Europe in five days as part of the Scumrun charity car challenge.

The pair raised £1,200 for WellChild which provides practical and emotional support for seriously ill children across the UK.

Nick played darts for the Red Lion in Blue Town and the Sheppey Super League team.

It is believed he had a short spell in hospital after being taken ill during a match in Ashford last month.

Tony Cox, secretary, of Sheppey Darts League, said: “Nick was a very, very keen player. He always supported the Sheppey Darts Classic with his father, and his firm always sponsored it. His death is a terrible shock to everybody.”

Nick’s sporting interests extended to football and he managed Woodcombe FC’s under 10s side which included his son Billy.

Chairman, Graham Feaver, said Nick was the most enthusiastic coach the club had ever had. He said: “He was a great guy, very friendly and a fantastic manager for the boys.

“He had taken his Level One FA coaching badge and he wanted to go a little bit further as a manager. It’s a real big loss to Woodcombe.”

Nick leaves behind wife Jo, daughter Annie, seven, and son Billy, nine. His funeral takes place at the Garden of England Crematorium, Sheppey Way, Bobbing, at 2pm on Thursday, February 20.