TWO former team-mates helped ex-Middlesbrough star Colin Cooper’s children’s charity raise more than £12,500 when they were guest speakers at a dinner.

Andy Townsend and Dean Windass entertained more than 300 dinner guests, including Boro manager Tony Mowbray, at the event held by the Finlay Cooper Fund at Hardwick Hall, Sedgefield.

All funds from the event will be used by the charity set up in aid of children’s causes in memory of the two-year-old son Colin and his wife Julie lost in a choking tragedy.

Colin said: “It was a very special night that will live long in the memory, particularly thanks to the humour and tales of Andy and Dean, who both gave their services free of charge.

“While we wanted to everyone to enjoy the night, the main thing was raising money for some very special causes, mainly on Teesside. Thanks to the generosity of those who attended, the night was a big success.”

More than £200,000 has been raised since the Fund was formed for a wide range of causes and the charity is currently embarking on making significant Christmas donations to a number of local organisations including Zoe’s Place, the Butterwick Children’s Hospice and Daisy Chain.

For more information, visit www.finlaycooperfund.co.uk