More than £2,000 raised in memory of South Shields crash victim Barry Armstrong

Barry Armstrong, who is also known as Barry Sutton, 25, died when a car he was driving hit a house on Chicester Road, in the early hours of the morning on Friday, January 24.

Emergency services attended, but sadly he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two other occupants of the car, a female passenger and a second male, received treatment in hospital after suffering serious injuries. The woman remains in a critical but stable condition while the man is in a stable condition.

Now a fundraiser has been set up in memory of Barry in a bid to raise funds to help his family cover funeral costs.

The appeal was set up on Go Fund Me by family friend Amber Natalie Griffiths on Saturday, January 25, and had already raised more than £2,000.

It was shared 1,700 times across social media and by Monday, January 27, a total of 143 people donated funds to raise £2,321 of its £4,000 goal.

On the page Amber Natalie Griffiths said: “Hiya everyone I’m a friend of Barry’s family.

”Barry has suddenly passed away in a horrible accident which my sister and another were sadly involved in.

“From the bottom of my heart I’m trying to help this amazing family who because they are going through the worst time of their life have still asked and showed support of how my sister is coping in her situation.

“As any death like this is so unexpected family’s have to try and afford a funeral to give their child, brother, nephew and cousin the best send off.

“So please find it in your heart to share some love and money to help this lush family out.”

Meanwhile Felling Magpies FC also paid tribute to Barry, who they said had been one of their players,.

In a post on Twitter the club said: “One of our players earned his wings yesterday.

“Today we play in honour of Barry Sutton. RIP Barry Sutton.”

To donate click here to visit the Go Fund Me page.