TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Sedbergh School student following his tragic death from a cardiac arrest.

Henry Foster has been described as a 'born winner' filled with 'grit, determination and bravery' in the wake of his death.

In a fundraising page set up to cover costs such as the funeral, loved ones said Mr Foster was an 'ultimate athlete'.

This is reflected in his list of achievements despite his youth.

Among his successes were league titles while playing for the football clubs Brigg Town and Appleby Frodingham, based in Lincolnshire, and a place in a Sedbergh School rugby team that won a national treble in one season.

After leaving Sedbergh, Mr Foster won a rugby scholarship at Central Washington University (CWU) in America.

He made an immediate impact upon becoming a CWU 'Wildcat' in 2018, starting nine of 11 games in his one season with the team before being forced to retire with a neck injury.

Todd Thornley, CWU men's rugby head coach, described Mr Foster as 'one of the most talented student-athletes we have ever had'.

"Most importantly, he was a great young man off the field who lived in the moment and had an incredibly bright future ahead of him," said Mr Thornley.

"We are so grateful Henry chose CWU, and his impact on our program was immediate as he was a great playmaker for us who could create opportunities out of nothing and added to our game model in multiple areas."

Dennis Francois, CWU director of athletics, said Mr Foster, from Elsham, Lincolnshire, was a 'bright young man with a magnetic personality' and that the Wildcat athletics family was 'truly heartbroken' by his death.

In a post to social media, a spokesman for Sedbergh School said: "Throughout his time at Sedbergh, Henry was an integral part of Sedbergh School FC, as well as a role model for those in Winder House.

"We send our deepest condolences to Henry's family and friends at this difficult time."

A fundraising page set up to cover costs such as the funeral and transportation of Mr Foster's body from America has already raised more than £70,000, despite being live for less than a week.

Visit https://gofund.me/d83d21d4 to donate.