Tributes have poured in for a 35 year old man who from a rare form of asbestos-related cancer.

John Edwards, from Speke, sadly died back in 2019 and an inquest found the 35-year-old died from a cancer called pericardial malignant mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure.

His devastated family hope to raise awareness of the disease in a bid to save families from similar heartbreak and are appealing for information after "one of a kind" John's death.

READ MORE:Woman forced to leave Liverpool club after humiliating incident in dress

Back in December 2018, John was feeling unwell and was told he was likely suffering from a flu virus.

But in February 2019, still unwell, he was given antibiotics to treat a chest infection which seemed to get 'progressively worse'.

John's wife Alison told the ECHO he would 'find it hard to catch his breath' before being rushed to Whiston hospita l with low oxygen levels and an extremely high heart rate.

John was treated for heart failure and sent home, but 11 days later he was rushed back in after "coughing up blood".

Alison said he was treated for pneumonia and told he had inflammation of the heart sac and was referred to Liverpool's Heart and Chest hospital and scheduled for surgery.

It was there the surgeon found a "solid" like coating on his heart which Alison said medics described as like "superglue".

John was placed in a medically induced coma to keep him alive and transferred to a London hospital.

On the 10th day, John received his biopsy results from his operation and the family were told he had cancer from asbestos exposure.

John was diagnosed on July 5 and on July 6 the family were told he would not survive the rest of the day.

The 35-year-old died a short time later with his loving family by his side.

After publishing John's story, people paid tribute to the family man, with one describing him as a "lovely soul."

Writing on the ECHO's Facebook page, Tracey Connor said "I met john a couple of times with him being friends with my nephews Tony and Mark, he was a lovely soul. RIP John."

James McDonald added: "I knew John when we were about 14 years old.

"He was a cracking base guitar player and an all round nice lad.

"We used to play in a band together occasionally and would go to Quiggins some Saturdays back in 1999 he used to love it in there.

"If I know John he'll be jamming with Kurt Cobain up there. RIP big guy."

Alexandra Cole said: "I remember John as he knew my brother Ste from their shared passion of playing guitar.

"Really polite, happy friendly lad. Rest in peace fella. Deepest condolences to his family."

Tony Wilky also said: "He worked in my local shop and would always chat to everyone who came in such a nice lad.

"Really loved his job. Everyone thought he was really sound. RIP John."

An inquest held into his death found John died from pericardial malignant mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure.

Alison said: "He was healthy, stocky, but healthy and he just went downhill really quickly.

"We don't know where the possible exposure came from but we've found out he used to climb on school roofs, schools were made of asbestos back then, and some people have said he played in the flats and used to go the swimming baths.

"We just want to know where it came from, his mum needs to know. We will never get him back but we need to know.

"They say it gets better but it doesn't. You just get longer to think about the things that could have changed.

"John was never going to get better or survive, there's no treatment but we have a solicitor trying to get information which can help other families.

"He lived at Alderwood Avenue at the time where they think he was exposed, the address has been checked and it's not there but could be anywhere around there."

John's form of cancer is 'extremely rare' and has similar symptoms to that of heart failure.

Alison went on to say: "If it wasn't for the inquest, his death would have been put down to heart failure.

"John was happy. His favourite thing was playing the guitar, he would sit and play for hours.

"We didn't have children, we weren't lucky, but I have a son from a previous relationship and he was an amazing dad to him.

"He took him on no questions asked and loved his family, his mum, dad, sister and nephews, he loved them all.

"John was fine, and then suddenly he wasn't. It's unrecognisable and we want to get it out there."

The family is appealing to any of John's childhood friends who remember playing with him in the 1980s and 90s.

It has been found that during those years, John would play after school and at weekends in and around local schools, which would often involve climbing on to the roofs of school buildings to retrieve his football.

As with other large buildings constructed in the first half of the 20th century, school roofs were often made of asbestos.

Growing up on Alderwood Avenue, John would venture all over Speke and attended Millwood primary school and Speke Comp which both are now knocked down.

Leigh Day Solicitors is urging anyone with information to contact Kevin Johnson on 0151 305 2760 or ktjohnson@leighday.co.uk

John's sister Andrea added: "As a child John was a typical boy getting up to all sorts of things in various places around Speke.

"We have been given some information from an old friend about the school roof he would play on and abandoned flats and garages.

"We just hope we can raise awareness of Johns illness and maybe try and prevent it happening to another family."

More information about the appeal can be found online by clicking here

Liverpool City Council said: "We are sorry to hear of the death of Mr Edward's but it would be inappropriate to comment any further at the moment."

Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here

More here:

Man who died with 'superglue' coating on heart was a 'lovely soul' - Liverpool Echo