Steph Cockroft

THE two charities who will benefit from the Journal's Chris King Memorial Fund said they were "overwhelmed" with the generosity of the North Devon public.

Help for Heroes and the North Devon Army Cadets last week collected more than £20,000 each from the Journal's appeal, which was started in memory of the fallen guardsman.

The appeal was started in September 2009 after the 20-year-old from West Buckland was killed while on service in Afghanistan.

Tina Young, Chris King's mother, said the response had been phenomenal.

She said: "Barnstaple is a small place but you realise what a big heart it has when you do things like this.

"There have been so many people involved who have come together to raise this money. It has been phenomenal."

Table-top sales, mountain hikes, a charity rugby match and personal donations were just some of the ways in which money was raised for the fund.

David Gammell, from Help for Heroes, said the money would go towards four rehabilitation centres being set up by the charity along with the Royal British Legion and the ABF the Soldiers' Charity in England.

He said: "It is quite difficult to make that change from the service to Civvy Street, let alone when you are injured. This money will help those people get back on their feet."

Mr Gammell said the support Help for Heroes had received since it began 34 months ago was very humbling.

Joe Martin, the army cadet area commander for North Devon, of which Chris was a member, said: "It is unbelievable we have had the chance to get this money.

"It will benefit so many people — and not just cadets, but all the bodies we work with.

"Chris' memory will live on because we will always be reminded of what his fund has gone towards."

Journal Editor Andy Cooper, said: "This has been a unique appeal which has honoured Chris's memory and made a difference to people's lives.

"We have had a wonderful response from the public to our appeal, with many thousands of pounds raised.

"We would like to thank every reader who has supported this appeal."