A TEESSIDE comedian has raised £5,000 at a fundraising night held in memory of a friend who died from breast cancer.

Chris McGlade, who once streaked across Wembley for charity, organised a comedy night to raise money for research into the disease and other good causes.

The event was a tribute to Shirley Warnes, the wife of his close friend Peter Warnes, who lost her 25-year fight against cancer aged 54.

The comedian, who was invited to make a second appearance at Hollywood's acclaimed Comedy Store earlier this year, arranged the fundraising night at the West Two Comedy Club, in Redcar.

The evening in April, featured local bands, including the Beer Pigs, other comedians and a local magician.

Yesterday, Mr McGlade presented Lindsay Kay with a cheque for £4,000 for Cancer Research UK.

Mr McGlade, 39, said: "Shirley never lost her determination and humour or her get up and go. She was an inspiration.

"Her illness motivated us to raise money to help Cancer Research UK find new and more effective treatments for breast cancer.

"We had great support from local people who had a really good laugh while raising money for a very serious cause."

Ms Kay, from Cancer Research UK, which spends more than £2m on research projects in the North-East to find more effective treatments for children and adults with cancer, said: "We are very grateful to everyone who worked so hard to raise money for us.

"It's thanks to support like this that Cancer Research UK's scientists, doctors and nurses are able to go on making progress in the fight against cancer."

Chiltern Mills received £500 towards its chosen charity for terminally-ill children, Make a Wish and Richard Vasey received £200 sponsorship for climbing Kilamenjaro for holistic cancer.

An additional £100 went to the neo-natal unit at James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, and £200 went towards a headstone for local man Ron Hickey.