THE wife of a county rugby stalwart who died suddenly last summer is planning to set up a foundation in his memory.

Gail McGeary’s husband Craig died after suffering a heart attack during a round of golf last July, at the age of 43.

READ MORE: Wife of rugby stalwart Craig McGeary pays tribute to her 'best friend'

He was a former rugby coach and player with Musselburgh, Haddington and Preston Lodge and the three clubs joined forces to hold a memorial match in his honour last August.

READ MORE: Rugby clubs hold memorial match for Craig McGeary

Now, his wife of 10 years is planning a lasting tribute to her husband by setting up the Craig McGeary Sports Foundation.

Gail, who lives in Gullane, told the Courier: “The foundation will fund opportunities for sport for young people in East Lothian.

“It will nurture a natural talent spotted by a development officer, or help progress a young person with the sport of their choice.

“The basis of the charity is about motivation to be part of sport, personally develop in a particular sport, and building lifelong relationships in sport.”

Last month, Gail collected a cheque for more than £4,000 from Loretto School, Musselburgh, where her husband worked in the PE department.

A group of pupils from the school also took on the Scottish Half Marathon last September, and raised more than £2,000 to help form the foundation.

READ MORE: Schoolgirl runs in memory of her former teacher

Mrs McGeary praised the efforts of the school.

She said: “Loretto have been an amazing support to me and clearly want to continue supporting the memories of Craig by planning more [events] in the future to find raise for the foundation.

“It will be decided by the trustees of the charity which young people are going to receive the money to help them to achieve their potential in sport.”

Meanwhile, Jonathan Hewat, director of communications at the school, said: “We were delighted to hand over a cheque for £4,116.10 to Mrs Gail McGeary as a donation to the ‘Craig McGeary Sports Foundation’.

“The money was raised from the wonderful Loretto Junior School Christmas Fair held in November.

“Craig was a greatly respected, much loved and talented sports coach who inspired numerous youngsters.

“The Craig McGeary Sports Foundation is a wonderful initiative and will keep Craig’s legacy alive by encouraging many future generations through sport.”

Gail will now turn her attentions to finalising the foundation’s trustees, but believes the charity is a fitting tribute to her late husband. She added: “Craig was helped by many people in East Lothian as a young boy, and he has gone on to do this with young people from East Lothian, and all over the world in his coaching roles.”

Gail is also taking on the fundraising mantle, and is running the John Muir Way Ultra Marathon – a 50km run – on April 1, alongside friend Lindsay Campbell.