THE family of Robert Stephenson have thanked everyone for their overwhelming support for a trust fund set up in his memory, which has raised more than £70,000.

The 21-year-old student from Pickering died after being struck by a taxi on a night out in York on March 26, last year.

Robert, who was a rugby player with Malton and Norton Rugby Club and a cricketer with Thornton-le-Dale Cricket Club, was in the third year of an agriculture degree at Newcastle University, with honours in agronomy, when the accident happened.

His family set up the Rob Stephenson Trust to help young people participate in sport.

Robert’s parents Patrick and Nicki, and elder brother Sam said they wanted to thank everyone for their overwhelming support of the trust.

Nicki said: “The Trust has raised money through a variety of events, including cycle challenges, cricket matches and the Stevo Stumble.

“In addition we have been donated huge amounts of money from a wide range of organisations from agricultural companies to many local sports clubs.

“We would like to thank everyone for the wholehearted support of the trust, from close family and friends to people we have never even meet. When Sam had this brainwave we had absolutely no idea that it would end up like this.”

Donations have been made to a number of projects, both in this country and abroad, including Sierra Leone, Mongolia, South Africa, India and Brazil.

Nicki said: “One of Rob’s friends Haydon Jackson personally delivered cricket shirts, donated by Yorkshire Cricket, to a primary school in Rajasthan, India, while support is to be provided to girls in orphanages in China through the provision of sports equipment.”

Closer to home, the trust has supported Thornton Dale Cricket Club, the Mia’s Wheels appeal and community rugby for Malton RUFC.

Nicki said: “It has been an overwhelming year, which we will never forgot. We will like to thank everyone who has supported us.”

For more information, go to robstephensontrust.com