£26,000 raised in memory of fan

FOOTBALL-MAD John Alder, one of two Newcastle United fans to die in the Malaysia Airlines tragedy, watched for the last time as his team played Oldham Athletic last July.

And now his match programme from that day has helped to raise £26,000 for charity.

Mr Alder, from Gateshead, died with fellow supporter Liam Sweeney on a flight to see Newcastle United play in a pre-season tournament in New Zealand. They were among 298 people killed when the flight was shot down over eastern Ukraine.

Mr Alder’s large collection of football memorabilia was auctioned to raise money for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, which benefits cancer patients across the North-East and Cumbria. Fans from all over the world bid for the many pieces. Items included a 1924 Newcastle v Aston Villa FA Cup programme, which made £3,200.

Mr Alder’s family cought his match scarf and the Oldham programme.