A SPONSORED dog walk held in memory of a 12-year-old boy looks set to become an annual event after the first one was a resounding success.

More than 140 of James Cook’s friends and family gathered on Sunday to take their canine companions for a stroll on the beach.

The walk at Crimdon Dene, near Hartlepool, was a chance to remember the Bishop Auckland youngster almost a year after he collapsed and died while playing football with friends.

It also raised more than £2,000 for the Great North Air Ambulance Service, which flew James to hospital after he collapsed.

Organiser Jayne Petty, a family friend and co-owner of Shildon’s Classy Paws dog grooming, said: “It was an absolutely wonderful day.

“It was so nice to be able to come together to think about James in a happy environment.

“His family said on the day we should do it again next year so I think it will be annual event, and they’d like it to be back at Crimdon again.

“The weather was perfect, despite rain being forecast, so we think James had a word with the man upstairs.”

James’ parents Ian and Louise and his sister Rebecca found the day emotional but said they appreciated the support from everyone and are keen to keep his light shining for ever.

Mrs Petty added: “Louise wrote ‘James Cook we love you’ in the sand and they had a few moments to reflect.

“The family said they were overwhelmed by the support, kind words, the people who were able to attend today and all those that made donations.”

James was a year eight pupil at St John’s School and Sixth Form College, a Catholic Academy, in Bishop Auckland and played for the town's St Mary’s Junior Football Club.

Before the walk got underway, participants held a minutes’ applause in memory of James.

Along with a stroll along the beach, some of James’ teammates had a game of football on the sand.

They also wore their team colours, as did many of the dogs who wore blue bandanas.

Mrs Petty, whose son Jack played football with James, said: “The air ambulance told me it costs £5.1m a year to keep the service going and £5,000 to go to one incident.

“They rely entirely on charity so it is nice to know we’ve done our bit to help other people, unfortunately they couldn’t save James.”