A STUDENT who tragically drowned in the River Tees can now have a headstone after a fundraising evening.

David Zikhali is thought to have tried to swim across the Tees before getting into difficulties and drowning, in July. Specialist divers searched for the former Ian Ramsey School pupil for two days.

Friends raised money to help towards his funeral costs in the summer, and at the weekend Luke Kilty and Hannah Shakiba organised a concert at the Georgian Theatre in Stockton to raise funds for his headstone.

Mr Kilty, one of Mr Mikhali's best friends, said the evening had raised almost £500 and had been attended by his mother and other members of his family. Local acts Denzel Munzara and Taylor Mayd performed, alongside rapper George Emery, who was a semi-finalist in Britain's Got Talent.

Mr Kilty's brother Richard, world indoor 60m running champion, also attended.

Mr Zikhali lived in Stockton but was originally from Zimbabwe and studied at Middlesbrough College.