FRIENDS of a "much-loved" Darlington man have paid tribute to him a year after his death as they launch an annual event to keep his memory alive.

Stephen Craggs was killed when he was hit by a train about four miles north of Darlington Railway Station last July.

Yesterday, his friends and family held a charity fun day, which included football matches and a raffle, to remember him and to raise money for Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM).

Mike Colman, the event's main organiser, first met Mr Craggs when they were both 18 and said their paths crossed "every single day".

Speaking about the idea of the event, he said: "At his funeral, I realised how much love there was for him from all different corners of life.

"He loved sport – he played golf, cricket, volleyball, football of course, so we wanted to do something that would make that legacy live on.

"I see his parents every couple of weeks and we have got quite close. I told them that I wanted to do this and they gave me their blessing. I wanted to remember him and make something good out of a sad time.

"I’d go round and talk to them about a night out or a funny story and we’d have some tears. They saw him as a calm and nice man but we saw the funny side of him so it was good to share those stories."

As well as the football and raffle, the event had a closest to the pin challenge, bouncy castles and music.

Mr Colman said: "We have got our Sunday league team back together, we've got one team of his mates, and one from work and his five-a-side team, so each one represents a different part of his life.

"It is still hard – I drive past his work and wonder where his car is, I still text him and message him in our group WhatsApp and you wonder why he is not at football.

"Just after he died, I had my 30th birthday. It was really good, but we kept looking at the door waiting for him to come in."

An inquest last year heard the reasons behind Mr Craggs' death "will remain a mystery", but a verdict of suicide was recorded.

Mr Colman added: "Every day is tough. We don’t have any explanation but we have to respect his wishes. Rather than think of all the questions we have, lets try and celebrate his life."