CHARITY fundraisers have donated £28,000 to two charities close to their hearts following the death of wife and mum Shirley Gill earlier this year.

Shirley’s family; husband Dave, daughter Joanna and son Benji, from Northallerton said they were staggered by the amount raised and paid tribute to sponsors and organisers of Shirley’s Charity Night held at the Troubadour in Northallerton. The money raised has been split between the Stroke Association which supported the family when Shirley tragically died earlier this year and LIVErNorth which is associated with organ donations in the North East.

Initially family and friends aimed to raise £10,000 but the amazing response with raffle and auction prizes, ticket sales, donations, walks and sponsorship from local businesses meant the final sum raised was £28,031.

J T Atkinson sponsored the event along with Wensleydale Bacon, Vale of Mowbray, Vasstech and Imprint Services. Barclays Bank donated £3,000 through Matched Fundraising for employees.

In addition to the main event, Benji, girlfriend Sarah Kelly, Joanna’s husband Paul Robson and friends, Arthur Dodsworth and Tom Craven, walked the full 84-mile length of Hadrian’s Wall raising over £5,000.

Mike Ingram, sponsorship committee member, raised £2000 by walking the last 100 miles of the Camino Frances Walk, dressed as a monk for part of the way.

Dave Gill said: "Losing Shirley in January has made 2019 a very difficult year for us but the support we have received from everyone for this charity event in her memory has been fantastic. We would like to thank everyone involved and, not least, Greta and Tyrone Crow for hosting a wonderful night for us in The Troubadour."

Jess Parkin, of the Stroke Association, said: "A stroke can happen to anyone at any time turning lives upside down. We’re incredibly grateful to the family and their friends for organising this wonderful event in Shirley’s memory and raising such an incredible total which helps us reach out to many more stroke survivors."