A LEADING Essex anti-weapons campaigner has died suddenly in America.

Trevor Woolley of Witham was a board director of the Clacton-based Only Cowards Carry.

The 48-year-old is believed to have suffered a heart attack on Tuesday.

Trevor joined Only Cowards Carry after his 18-year-old son Ashley Woolley was murdered in Oaklands Park, Chelmsford, in December 2014.

The killer Steven Davenport, 18, from Chelmsford, a ‘loner’ who attended Chelmsford College with Ashley, was jailed for life at Chelmsford Court last year and will serve at least 18 years.

“We at Only Cowards Carry are so very sad and devastated to announce the sudden death of one of our Board Directors Trevor Woolley yesterday whilst in America,” said a statement from the charity yesterday.

“He worked tirelessly not only for OCC but to promote ‘10 pints for Ashley’, a cause that would attract many needed blood donors.

“We at Only Cowards Carry will carry on his wish for his cause. Trevor lived for his remaining family especially his only surviving son Paul. He will be so missed by all. Our thoughts are with his family,” the charity continued.

Only Coward Carry has set up a Just Giving Page in his memory.

Caroline Shearer, founder of Only Cowards Carry, added Trevor, a Prison Officer at Chelmsford Prison, was “an outstanding man who was broken-hearted when Ashley died.”

His involvement led to the charity to erect metal knife amnesty boxes in Chelmsford, Braintree, Clacton, Colchester and Basildon, leading to thousands of knives and other weapons to be given up.

“This is not only bad for everybody, but also for his last surviving son Paul who absolutely adored his father.

“We hope Trevor is in the arms of his Angel Son Ashley,” added Caroline, who lost her own son Jay Whiston at a house party for teenagers in Colchester in September 2012, leading to the formation of the charity campaign group.