THOUSANDS of pounds have been raised in memory of York’s war hero Matthew Hatton thanks to a charity auction organised by a former school friend.

The event at York’s Hilton Hotel raised £8,500 – about £6,000 more than the expected.

The money will go to the charity Help For Heroes, which supports troops wounded in action.

Main organiser Matt Segar, who attended Oaken Grove Primary and Easingwold School with Matthew Hatton, said: “I couldn’t have asked for the night to have gone any better. There was some very generous bidding which led to me far exceeding my target.”

A duo from Minster FM hosted the event, which included more than 60 lots, donated by a range of people and organisations from York and across the country.

The biggest sale of the night was a signed England Ashes 2009 cricket photo, which went for £600. A VIP day for four people at RAF Linton-on-Ouse sold for £410, while a two-night stay at the new Cedar Court Grand Hotel in York, due to open next spring, fetched £330.

Other lots on the night included a range of hotel stays, meals out, jewellery, sporting tickets and memorabilia, and days out.

Mr Segar said: “Chris and Nikki from Minster FM did an amazing job and thanks to the help from family and friends who were roped in at the last minute we made it a tremendous success. I would also like to thank all those who donated. I was overwhelmed at the response I received when organising the night and am so pleased that those donations were rewarded by raising an amazing amount of money for a great cause.”

Lance Bombardier Matthew Hatton, 23, from Haxby, became York’s first victim of the war in Afghanistan when he was caught in a double explosion in the Helmand province in August.