THE family of a 25-year-old football fan involved in a horrific crash on his way home from a match in 1992 are honouring their pledge to help the hospital where he died.

Ada and Frank Hutchinson lost their son, Gary, after he drove a hired minibus carrying a group of his friends along the A66 near Bowes on their return journey from a Newcastle United away game.

The stonemason suffered severe head injuries in the incident on March 1, 1992, and was placed on a life support machine in Darlington Memorial Hospital where he died just hours later.

A 37-year-old driver of a Vauxhall Cavalier also involved in the crash was pronounced dead at the scene and eight of Mr Hutchinson’s friends travelling in the minibus were also hospitalised.

Following his death, Mr Hutchinson’s family, from Meadowfield, County Durham, vowed to mark the memory of their son by raising £100,000 for a range of worthy causes.

Decades on from losing their son and Mr and Mrs Hutchinson have presented a cheque for £900 to support the intensive treatment unit (ITU) in Darlington.

Mrs Hutchinson said: “[Gary] would have been 50 a few weeks ago and his friends held a party in his honour at which donations were made.

“Gary received excellent care at Darlington Memorial Hospital and the nurses are wonderful, but even after all these years it’s still difficult coming back.

“They say loss gets easier over time but, unfortunately, we haven’t found that to be the case.

“We’re lucky enough to also have two daughters, Claire and Lisa and two lovely grandchildren.”

Diane Cruickshank, ITU manager, said: “I was incredibly moved to hear about the fundraising Gary’s family and friends have done in his name for the past 25 years.

“His parents wanted to deliver their donation themselves and were amazed at the changes in ITU.

“In 1992 we were a four-bedded unit and Frank and Ada commented on how much bigger and brighter it is – we have 12 beds now.

“ITU patients can become quite isolated from the outside world and this very generous donation will help us provide an iPad for each of our ITU beds so patients and their loved ones can use the internet or perhaps watch a favourite TV programme.”