FUNDS have been raised for two charities in memory of a tragic teenager.

Cameron Gosling died after getting into difficulty whilst swimming in the River Wear near Bishop Auckland, on Sunday, July 5.

More than 480 bikers escorted the 14-year-old’s funeral procession in his home town Crook, County Durham, following an appeal by parents Sean, a motorcyclist himself, and Fiona.

After the funeral local Facebook group members who took part said they wanted to continue to help the family by fundraising in memory of Cameron.

Two of them, John Vasey and Paul Todd, suggested organising a charity ride out which raised £626.82.

Mr Vasey said: ‘We started at Sunderland Lifeboat Station on Sunday 16th Aug and finished in Blyth stopping on the way and collecting public donations.

“We chose to donate the money raised to the RNLI and the Royal Life Saving Society as they are charities close to Cameron’s families heart both being linked to water safety and education.”

James Jamieson, lifeboat operations manager at Sunderland Inshore Lifeboat Station, said: ‘In 2014 an average of 24 people were rescued each day by RNLI Lifeboats.

“It costs £85,000 a year to run an Inshore Lifeboat Station.

“This is why fundraising is so important.

“Without it our volunteers and the charity would not be able to continue its lifesaving work.”

The Royal Life Saving Society is the UK’s leading provider of water safety and drowning prevention education.

Cheques for £250 have been presented to both the RNLI at Roker and RLSS, the remaining money is for Cameron’s parents and three brothers.

Cameron attended Crook Primary School then Parkside Academy, in Willington, and enjoyed visiting a skatepark in Crook with his friends.

Emergency services were called to the river on the afternoon of Sunday, July 5 after the 14-year-old went missing in the water.

Several of his friends had tried to rescue him before themselves getting into difficulty and having to hold onto overhanging branches for safety.

They were pulled to the river bank but Cameron remained missing and his body was recovered from the water at Paradise Park, Witton Park, later that night.

Cameron is the 15th person to die in the River Wear in two years.