A CHARITY hike in memory of a North soldier killed in Iraq has raised thousands of pounds for a trust set up in his name.

Lance Corporal Ben Hyde, 23, from Northallerton, North Yorkshire, was killed in June 2003 while serving with the Military Police.

The Ben Hyde Memorial Trust was founded by his family three years ago.

L Cpl Hyde’s father, John Hyde, and three friends walked 190 miles from St Bees, in Cumbria, to Robin Hood’s Bay, on the North Yorkshire coast.

The expedition took two weeks - from May 16 to May 29.

Mr Hyde said: "It was fantastic.

"The first week was horrendous, because of the weather, it rained every day, but in the last few days it was quite hot."

During the walk, the group collected £1,900 in on-the-spot donations from members of the public.

Mr Hyde said: "With those donations, together with the sponsorship money that had been pledged, we are looking at between £4,000 and £5,000.

"The generosity of the people along the way was astonishing."

The trust’s annual dinner will be held at the Golden Lion Hotel, in Northallerton High Street, on Saturday, June 20, at 7pm for 7.30pm.

Middlesbrough mayor Ray Mallon will be guest speaker at the black-tie event, which will include a three-course dinner, disco, entertainment, a raffle and an auction. Tickets cost £30.

For more information, call 01609-780980.