A HOSPICE has been given a festive boost thanks to an annual tribute night in memory of a popular social worker and fundraiser who suddenly lost his life.
Liam Gough was just 53 when he died on New Year’s Day in 2008.
The annual Liam Gough Tribute night was held at the Rovers Quoit Club, in Hartlepool, and an impressive total of £2,080.95 was raised for hospice care in the local 
community.
Ahead of the fundraising night the traditional charity football match, featuring town footballers, took place on the same day.
The money raised will go to the Hartlepool & District Hospice, which is based in Wells Avenue.
It comes after hospice bosses thanked fundraisers for keeping them afloat by handing over a staggering ÂŁ1.5m in the last year, as revealed in the Mail yesterday.
As well as working with adults and youngsters with disabilities and learning difficulties, Liam was also well-known on the local football scene.
Since his death, his dedicated family have organised a charity football match and fundraising evening every year to raise money for Hartlepool & District Hospice, a charity which was extremely close to his heart.
On the night there were raffles, bingo, a “pound in the envelope game” and a charity auction to boost fundraising levels.
There was live music from Fear of Falling, who organisers said entertained the packed room with a well-chosen set of hits from over the years.
The evening was organised by Liam’s brother, John, and compered by Hartlepool man Les Watts.
Greg Hildreth, events fundraiser at the hospice, said: “It was another fantastic night and I’m pleased to see that Liam’s memory lives on through these events which have established themselves as highlights of the hospice calendar.
“The dedication from Liam’s friends and family, especially his brother John who is chief organiser, is second to none and I would like to congratulate and thank them on their fantastic work on behalf of all at the hospice.
“I’m looking forward to next year’s event already.”
Hartlepool & District Hospice is a registered charity offering specialist palliative care to hundreds of adults from Hartlepool and East Durham each year.
It costs ÂŁ2.6m to continue providing the current range of services.
The hospice receives 21 per cent NHS funding, so the outstanding ÂŁ2.05m must be raised through the local community and other fundraising initiatives.