FORMER Middlesbrough footballer Stewart Downing has marked the 20th anniversary of his little sister's death by raising more than £15,000 in her memory.

It was on May 30, 1993, that Vicki lost a two-year battle against a rare form of stomach cancer aged just four.

Stewart was eight at the time and the Liverpool winger has been helping his parents, Stewart Snr and Kerry, raise cash for the hospital where she was treated - Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary.

Kerry set up the Vicki Downing Memorial Fund and started to collect footballers boots and shirts to auction.

Stewart Jnr said: “My mam wanted to do something to try to give something back and say thank you to the treatment Vicki received from dedicated staff at the RVI.

“So we started to raise money for the RVI, where Vicki had been treated when she was diagnosed with neuroblastoma.

“I was only young at the time, but in the years that have gone by since I have realised just how much help everyone at the RVI gave Vicki and to our family.”

Vicki initially fought off the disease but after a period of remission the cancer returned and she died 20 years ago today (Thursday, May 30).

Stewart Snr has never forgotten how his little girl was looked after during her time at the RVI, particularly by Professor Andrew Pearson.

“Professor Andrew Pearson tried to do everything he could for our daughter and we will always remember that,” said Stewart Snr, who still lives on Teesside with Kerry.

“He had spent his career trying to fight neuroblastoma in both adults and children. He's left the hospital now but we are just pleased to be able to give something back to the RVI.”

Stewart Jnr, a former Pallister Park School pupil now playing for Liverpool in the Premier League, thinks his sister would be proud.

“Hopefully it will help other children,” said the 28-year-old. “I think my sister would be very pleased.

“She was only young but she always had a smile on her face even though she was poorly. She was always smiling and was a fighter.

“As I've got older I have learned more about the illness and the hospital she was in. It's nice that we have been able to do something like this.”