WHEN 42-year-old Michelle Parker lost her fight for life two years ago, her partner Darren Watson launched a fundraising drive to keep her memory alive.

Ms Parker – known as Shelly to her friends – battled two brain tumours and made Mr Watson promise to give something back to The James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, for the amazing care she received.

Mr Watson, from Darlington, officially launched The Michelle Parker Charity to buy equipment for the neurosurgery team at James Cook, which provides services for patients in Teesside, County Durham and North Yorkshire.

He is now hosting his second annual charity night and auction at Rockliffe Hall Hotel, in Hurworth, near Darlington.

Sponsored by Teesside Audi, the black tie event takes place on Friday, at 7pm, and includes a fivecourse meal.

Mr Watson has secured signed Chelsea and Manchester United shirts, a signed photograph of Take That and the weekend hire of an Audi Convertible to auction.

He said: “Last year, this event made just short of £8,000, which was amazing. We hope to top that figure this year and it’s looking good because we only have a few £43-a-head tickets left.

“The charity means so much to me because I think, in its own way, it is keeping Shelly alive. I know she would be so proud of everyone who has supported me in all our fundraising events.

“All I want is to raise as much as I can in four years, which will hopefully one day help us move a step closer to a cure for the dreadful disease Shelly had.”

He hopes to raise enough to buy equipment for the neurosurgical theatre, including an operating microscope, a neuro-navigation system and specialist keyhole surgery instruments.

For more details, contact Mr Watson on 07973-462878.