A FUND set up in memory of a murder victim has paid out its first grant to a professional golfer in need of a boost at the start of his career.

The Andrew Jackson Trust for Young Golfers has handed over £500 to Callum Tarren, 25, from Darlington, who is raising cash for a trip to China after qualifying for the Professional Golf Association Tour of China 2016.

Andrew Jackson was murdered outside the Georgian Theatre Royal in Richmond in April 2015 and Cohnor Coleman, 24, from Brough with St Giles, was jailed for more than six years in October 2015.

As a golf fanatic who had struggled to fund himself as a young player in order to move into the professional circuit, Mr Jackson was keen to support younger players and help them improve their game.

Following a charity golf event and silent auction last July, as well as personal donations, the trust has raised around £6,000.

Martin Catt, one of Mr Jackson’s friends who set up the trust, handed over the cheque to Mr Tarren at Rockliffe Hall today (Friday, February 12) to fit in with Mr Tarren’s training schedule.

Mr Tarren said: “I have been playing for 12 years and I’m now a professional golfer at Rockliffe Hall.

“I have recently qualified to play in the tour in China, which runs from May until December – there are 12 events and it is important that I play all of them so I have the chance to qualify for the Web.com Tour in USA, which is the second rated tour in the US.

“It is a constant struggle to get the funding you need to go to these events and try to work your way up – I was lucky that seven members of Rockliffe golf club donated money so I could go to China to qualify, but this £500 will help me stay out there.”

Mr Tarren, who had briefly met Mr Jackson on the Rockliffe Hall golf course last year, said he was honoured to be the first recipient of the trust.

He said: “I definitely want to take part in the next fundraising event to give something back – it is a great idea to help young and up-and-coming golfers.”

Mr Catt added: “Andrew would definitely have been proud to give this cash to Callum – he is in the same position Andrew was in as a young player."

Anyone interested in offering sponsorship to Mr Tarren can contact him on 07964-321685 or callumtarrengolf@gmail.com.

The next Andrew Jackson Trust for Young Golfers golf day will take place on July 29. To register a team of four contact m.catt@cuphosco.co.uk.