FRIENDS of a soldier who died in Iraq paid tribute to him with a memorial drive.
About 100 friends of Lance Corporal David Wilson, from Spennymoor, County Durham joined a convoy that passed the family home in Witton Park on their way from Bishop Auckland to Teesside Park.
Friend James Peverley sold stickers that raised £110 for the Help the Heroes fund.
L Cpl Wilson, 27, had been a soldier for five years and had just become a father to baby Poppy when he died in December.
The Army launched an inquiry after he was found with a gunshot wound to the head at the British base in Basra only a month before he was due to return to his fiancee, Michelle Curry.
Ms Curry and L Cpl Wilson’s twin brother, Michael, joined the rally.
Mr Peverley said: “He was a popular lad who would always have a joke and cheer people up. We thought this was a good way to remember him and raise a bit of money for Help the Heroes.
“The number of people who have turned out show just how much we all thought of him. He is a great loss.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here