HOPES for a new war memorial remembering those who have lost their lives in recent conflicts got a welcome boost this festive season, thanks to generous North-East football fans.

Representatives from the Brothers In Arms campaign, which aims to raise £60,000 to create a new Memorial Wall honouring the fallen of the region, were given permission to collect donations at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light during the Black Cats’ one-all draw against Everton on Boxing Day.

Supporters of both teams helped the charity raise £1,600 towards the Memorial Wall of Pride and Respect, which it hopes will be built next to the existing Cenotaph at Mowbray Park. SAFC chairman Niall Quinn was so touched by the campaign, that he also agreed to match the funding, donating an additional £1,600 on behalf of the club.

North-East firm Thompson Building Centres, which sponsored the Black Cats’ Boxing Day clash, is a longstanding supporter of Brothers In Arms, having given the group free office space and use of all of their facilities, as well as organising a range of fund raising events.

As thanks for sponsoring the match, the firm was gifted with a signed SAFC shirt, which managing director Anne Ganley immediately gave as a gift back to the Brothers in Arms campaign.

The shirt was collected on behalf of the charity by Carla and Tom Cuthbertson, who have campaigned tirelessly in support of the Brothers In Arms campaign since their 19-year-old son Private Nathan Cuthbertson died in a suicide bomb attack in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on 8 June 2008.