A schoolboy whose dad almost died from a cardiac arrest has been inspired to raise money for a defibrillator for his school after watching Christian Eriksen collapse at Euro 2020.

Ralph Bowden's dad nearly died has since been fitted with an implantable defibrillator – or ICD – like the former Tottenham Hotspur player.

Now Ralph will do a 10-mile sponsored cycle ride in honour of the midfielder who wears number 10 for the Danish national team.

Ralph said he wants to help pupils and staff at Jessie Younghusband Primary School in Woodlands Lane, Chichester.

"I wanted to do this cycle ride because of what happened to my dad and Christian Eriksen," he said.

"There are a lot of staff and people at my school, and I want everyone there to be safe.

"I think it's going to be quite hard to cycle 10 miles, but I hope that encourages people to donate some money."

The Argus: Christian Eriksen in hospitalChristian Eriksen in hospital

Ralph was watching the Denmark vs Finland match with his parents at home in Chichester when the 29-year-old Inter Milan star unexpectedly fell to the ground.

His dad Dean said it brought back memories of his own cardiac arrest in 2007 when he was just 21 years old.

Dean, who is now 34, said: "When I saw Christian Eriksen collapse, I looked at my wife and said we need to turn over.

"There was no one near him and, because of what had happened to me, I knew it was serious and likely to be a cardiac arrest.

"We changed the channel, but Ralph was asking lots of questions about what had happened to the footballer and why we'd turned over.

"Fortunately, within 15 minutes or so, pictures began to circulate on social media showing that Eriksen was conscious and that he was going to be OK.

"My wife and I were able then to explain what had happened. Ralph knows that I've had a cardiac arrest in the past and that I have a special box in my chest to keep me alive.

"Seeing what had happened to Christian Eriksen made him understand what had happened to me. And that's when he decided he wanted to buy a defibrillator for his school."

The Danish ace's life was saved by prompt CPR and the use of a defibrillator - just like Dean.

Dean's cardiac arrest was caused by a condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), an inherited disease of the heart muscle.

About one in 500 of the UK population has the condition, although most people who have it have few, if any, symptoms and can live a normal life.

The Argus: Ralph Bowden with his father DeanRalph Bowden with his father Dean

Dean, who works as an independent mortgage broker, said: "I was working for a bank at the time. It seemed a normal day. I went to went to the printer to get some paperwork, and I collapsed to the floor.

"I have no memory of what happened, but someone heard me fall. They found me unconscious and without a pulse. Two colleagues started to give me CPR.

"When the ambulance arrived, they used a defibrillator and then rushed me to hospital. I was put in an induced coma and put on life support for the next 27 hours."

Ralph will cycle 10-miles along the Centurion Way on July 17 to raise the money for the defibrillator.

Defibrillators are used to treat people who go into cardiac arrest - a critical medical emergency where the heart stops pumping blood around the body.

Unless treated immediately, a cardiac arrest will lead to death within minutes.

Hannah Miller, fundraising manager for the British Heart Foundation, said: "I have nothing but admiration for Ralph's fundraising. He saw those shocking scenes and his thoughts turned immediately to how he could help other people.

"Ralph is clearly a remarkable young man, and we hope that he can make his fundraising cycle a success."

People can donate to Ralph's fundraising campaign online uk.gofundme.com/f/sponsor-ralphs-ride-get-a-defibrillator-for-jys