Parents hold kite flying event in son's memory

The event is in memory of David Greaves from Hexham who died in 2016

Kites are to be flown over a beach to raise awareness of motor neurone disease.

The event in Blyth, Northumberland, has been planned by Andrew Greaves, from Matfen, whose son David died in 2016, 15 months after he was diagnosed.

It will take place between 13:00 and 16:00 BST on Sunday afternoon at Blyth Beach.

Mr Greaves said: "Kites are wonderfully inclusive because even those who use a wheelchair can get involved."

People are asked to bring along their own kites, but 100 will be available for those without one.

David Greaves' fundraising efforts included an attempt to climb Kilimanjaro

"Shortly after David died, we were walking on a beach on Holy Island and we found a kite which had been washed up, and we picked it up and flew it," Mr Greaves said.

"It felt like such a direct connection with our son so when the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) was looking for ideas for events to raise funds and awareness, a kite flying event seemed the obvious one."

Motor neurone disease (MND) affects up to 5000 people in the UK at any one time. It is a fatal, rapidly progressive disease that affects the brain and spinal cord.

The idea for the event came after David's parents found an abandoned kite on Holy Island and flew it in memory of their son

The event was held for the first time in 2023 with 80 kites available for people to fly and this year they have even more, with hopes it will become an annual event.

Mr Greaves said it was about raising awareness of the disease rather than funds which "feels really good".

"We think about David all the time, and the journey that we went on with him," he added.

"We remain so very proud of him and the dignified way he coped with the disease, and we hope we will be as brave and calm as him when our time comes."