A COLLEGE is helping a mother’s campaign to raise awareness of the effects of a single punch after the tragic death of her son.

Maxine Thompson-Curl’s son, Kristian Thompson, was just 19-years-old when he died after suffering severe brain injury in an attack in Consett.

Mr Thompson, of Burnopfield, was punched at a nightclub in September 2010, and the single blow resulted in a catastrophic brain injury. He never fully recovered and died in July 2011.

Mr Thompson’s attacker served just eight months in prison after being convicted of causing grievous bodily harm.

Since then, Mr Thompson’s mother and her partner Anthony Curl have worked tirelessly to raise awareness about such a “pointless and random attack”.

Mrs Thompson-Curl has now selected images, designed by Darlington College students, that will form a poster and social media campaign across the region.

Working with Durham Police, the couple approached Darlington College, whose level three photography students came up with a collection of 20 powerful images highlighting the dangers of a single punch attack.

“We don’t want any other families to go through what we have been through which is why it is so important to raise awareness of what a single punch can do,” said Mrs Thompson-Curl.

“Every single design was fantastic and it means so much to me that young people have been involved in this latest campaign.”

Student Chelsea Dunbobbin, 18, used her friend and heavy make up to produce a striking ‘one punch can kill’ image, which will form the centrepiece of a Durham Police safety campaign.

Miss Dunbobbin, of Appleby, in Cumbria, said: “I was really surprised that my image was chosen but am very pleased to be involved in such a worthwhile campaign.”

PC Claire McNaney, Durham Police’s alcohol harm reduction officer, added: “The students have really taken on board our aims and aspirations for the campaign and come up with some incredible work.”