CHARITIES continue to feel the benefits of the fund-raising efforts in memory of a popular rugby player and farmer.

Stu's Super Saturday event, named after 25-year-old Stu Ridley who died of a brain tumour in 2015, returned to Tynedale Park, Corbridge, for a third year.

And in addition to the £3,500 plus raised on the day, Stu's mother Celia was able to hand over cheques of £15,000 each to the Brain Tumour Charity and Wooden Spoon, a children's charity linked with rugby.

Mrs Ridley was able to meet Natalie Sweeney, of Ashington, who spoke about her condition as she is two years into her fight against a brain tumour. She was given five years to live by doctors when they diagnosed her.

Mrs Ridley said: "It was incredibly brave of Natalie to speak publicly, but she felt honoured to be asked to collect on behalf of The Brain Tumour Charity.

"It's a tricky one because how long do you keep holding fund-raising events? As long as funds are being raised for great causes, we have to keep going with this.

"People are prepared to come forward and give their time and whatever resources they can to help, and we are supporting two brilliant causes as well as individuals going through illness.

"It is important we keep raising money, and awareness of this horrendous illness which can just strike any time."

Hundreds turned out for Stu's Super Saturday, with the spectators enjoying two games of rugby and a demonstration of tag rugby before enjoying the evening entertainment, provided through live music from Hip Hop Hooray and a disco.

For the first time in three meetings, the academicals got the upper hand over their farmer counterparts in their annual showdown.

But the result of the veterans and an invitational XV was uncertain, according to committee member Matthew Fieldhouse.

He said: "I don't actually know who won but we had players from Tynedale, Blaydon, Darlington Mowden Park and Consett play on the day so I would say rugby was the winner!"