A BENEVOLENT band night has raised over £3,250 for two charities.

The money from the event at The Demi in Consett will be split between the North-East Autism Society and the Lee Robson Patient Grant Scheme at Bright Red.

The evening, in August was, organised by Kevin Blackwood, 38, from Leadgate, whose four-year-old son, Cole, is autistic.

Mr Blackwood, a father-of-four, who has previously two organised similar events raising a total of around £5,000, said: “We did one ages ago and people kept mentioning it so we decided to another one. It went brilliantly, better than expected.”

The acts, including Toxic, Mandy Scott, Chris Justice and Counterfeit Youth, all played for free.

Sophie Clarke, from the North-East Austism Society, said: “It is an amazing amount.”

Mr Blackwood was friends with Lee Robson, who died of leukaemia in 2013 at the age of 35, and works at Consett YMCA with Mr Robson’s father Billy.

Mr Robson said: “We would like to say ‘thank you’ to every one for keeping Lee’s memory alive.”