A FUNDRAISING event in memory of much-missed Olly Wilkes has raised more than £3,000 for the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.

Olly's Heavenly 25th Birthday Ball was held at The Copthorne Hotel, Brierley Hill, on March 14, to remember Olly from Withymoor who took his own life in 2017 at the age of just 22.

The event, compered by King Tom (Ian Thomas), included a three-course meal, raffle and auction with prizes donated by local businesses, DJ and performance by UB40 tribute band Labour of Love.

Olly's dad Simon Wilkes thanked all those who donated raffle and auction prizes, and said: "It really was an unbelievable event in honour of Our Olly."

Halesowen News: Olly WilkesOlly Wilkes

He said it was a "wonderful mentally, physically and emotional 48 hours for ourselves" and added: "Olly will be in our hearts forever, never ever forgotten."

It was touch and go as to whether the event would go ahead as it was shortly before public venues began to close their doors as the national began to realise how crippling the fight against coronavirus would become.

Organiser Jade Lane, who has put on a host of charity events in the past, said she did not know Olly, a carpenter and passionate football player, but it was "such an honour" to hold the event for him to mark what would have been his 25th birthday.