Pals hold fundraiser in memory of crash victims
FRIENDS staged a fundraiser in memory of two Stoke City football fans who died in a car crash.
Hundreds turned up at the London Road Sports and Social Club, Stoke, yesterday to raise funds for the families of Martin Wilson and James Morgan.
An auction, a raffle, live music and a sponsored wax were laid on as part of the event to remember the men who died on November 18.
Twenty-year-old James, from Lightwood, and Martin, aged 26, of Blurton, were passengers in a car when it flipped over and landed in the front garden of a house on Lightwood Road, in Lightwood.
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Driver Terriann Harrington, aged 26, has been bailed until January after being arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
Event organiser Jak Clarke, paid tribute to the 'popular and likeable' duo.
The 21-year-old, of Dresden, said: "Everybody who knew them couldn't say a bad word about them.
"They loved football. I went to watch England play Poland with James just a few weeks before he died.
"They would do anything for anybody. They would give you their last pound.
"We thought the event would be a nice gesture for their families, so they could see how much everybody thought of them."
James, who was known as 'Jim' and Martin whose nickname was 'Wilson' were thought to have been returning from a night out when the accident happened at 4.30am.
Steve Tolley, aged 22, of Fenton, said: "James definitely was the life and soul of any party. He liked having a drink.
"He would always tell us that he was having a quiet one and the next night we would find out he hadn't been home, but he always looked as if he'd had about 12 hours sleep because he was always so lively.
"His family meant the world to him. He loved spending time with his sister."
Twenty three-year-old Scott Swindlehurst, of Hartshill, added: "You couldn't not like them.
"They loved life and football and they had loads of friends."
Friend Robert Scanlan had his back and chest waxed as part of the event.
The 22-year-old, of Longton, said: "The highest bidder got the chance to pull off a strip. I did it because we want to raise as much money as possible for their families and they can use it in whatever way they want.
"Jim and Wilson were both really good friends of mine.
"They looked out for each other. Jim had a beaming smile and Wilson was a great lad."
The funeral services are taking place tomorrow.
Martin's will be held at Carmountside Crematorium at 11.30am and James's at St Mary and Chad's Church, in Longton, at 1.30pm.
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