A FAMILY who host an annual darts competition in memory of their arrow-throwing son have raised more than £1,000 for charity.

Tommy Howson, from Askam, died aged 25 after a night out in Barrow with his friends in 2007.

Every year since his death, his family have organised a darts tournament to donate funds to charities such as the Great North Air Ambulance and Macmillan Cancer, with this year's money going to the Furness branch of the Multiple Sclerosis charity.

Mr Howson's mum, Pat, described her son's death as "horrific" but believes that the darts competition, which is held every July, is the perfect way to remember him.

She said: "He absolutely loved darts and played for the Furness Tavern in Askam for seven years. Everybody around the village knew him and he was well thought of by the whole community.

"People come year after year to support our fundraising efforts and it's so lovely to see so many people coming out to remember my son."

Mr Howson worked for the National Grid building pylons and had to travel to work in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, for long periods of time but tried to make sure he returned to his roots as often as he could.

He had returned to Barrow to spend time with family and friends when tragedy struck.

His sister, Alison Howson, said: "Unfortunately it was one of those freak accidents. The pain never goes away and it still feels the same as it did the day he died, but I think this is something that he would really appreciate.

"It has been very successful in all the years that we've done it and we have raised thousands of pounds. I'm so grateful for everyone that donated and all of the support from the community has been amazing.

"Next year will be the tenth anniversary of his death so we want to do something even bigger to make that year extra special."

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