A North-East charity dedicated to brain haemorrhage research has had a cash boost from a victim's family and friends.

Steven Crow, of Birtley, near Gateshead, who worked at Nissan in Washington, died of the condition in January 2001.

The Clarke Lister Brain Haemorrhage Foundation was set up by Carole Lister, of Peterlee, after she lost her ten-year-old son Clarke to a brain haemorrhage in June 1996.

The charity aims to raise £1.2m for research and a network of community nurses and counsellors to help families and victims who survive.

Steven's parents, Alan and Ruth, began helping the charity and a karaoke night held by Steven's friend, Derek Lumley, raised £250.

That led to a pub crawl from the Station Pub, in Gateshead, to the Corner Flag, Birtley, which was topped up by a charity night, including a buffet, raffle and auction, that raised a total of £2,500.

Mrs Crow said: "Our aim was to raise £1,000, but because of the generosity of so many people, too many to thank, we managed through sponsorship to raise an extra £1,500."

Mr Crow said: "It is so hard to lose a son of any age. I now realise how many friends and how popular Steven was.

"The Clarke Lister appeal has helped us to move on, knowing that they are there to talk to and that they truly understand what we are going through.

"We are very pleased to have made this donation in the memory of both Steven and Clarke."