THE total cash raised for The Advertiser's Stanley Burns Pit Disaster Memorial Appeal stands at nearly £2,500 after a successful fund-raising talk.

The money will be used to erect a graveside tribute to 54 men and boys buried in unmarked mass trenches in Stanley. A total of 168 men and boys died in the explosion at the Burns Pit in 1909 but most were buried privately.

About 35 people attended a talk on the subject at Bishop Auckland Town Hall. They contributed just under £35 which will be added to £200 recently sent by a relative of one of the deceased miners.

In the audience was Wendy Haydock, the great-great niece of the hero of the disaster, Mark Henderson, whose story was told at the talk.

In the pit Mr Henderson helped to save the lives of 26 men and boys by making sure they remained in a pocket of uncontaminated air after seven other members of the group tried to escape but each died.

After 14 hours in the mine, Mark Henderson risked his own life and went for help. He finally found a telephone. Mr Henderson then went back and brought out a small group of the men to a point where the rescue team could easily find them. He made that journey another five times.

"I didn't even know about him until a few years ago," said Wendy Haydock, of Eldon, near Bishop Auckland. "I feel very proud of him."

Ms Haydock would like to meet any descendants of Mr Henderson. Call reporter Chris Webber on (01642) 513346 if you can help.