A FUNDRAISER to help the heartbroken family of a much-loved journalist who died in a road accident in Netherton has raised more than £3.2k.

Tributes and donations have flooded in after a Go Fund Me appeal was started in memory of 37-year-old James Driver-Fisher.

The married father-of-one, who worked for the Midland News Association, died after he was hit by two cars on Saltwells Road in Netherton.

The crash happened as around 12.40am on Sunday October 31, just days before James's 38th birthday.

The appeal states: "James leaves behind wife Kelly, 40, and daughter Annabelle, seven.

"James started with the MNA as a reporter on the Bridgnorth Journal in 2007, going on to be a sub editor and latterly a content manager for the Express & Star and Shropshire Star and their sister weekly newspapers.

"He was a regular contributor to the entertainment pages and also to the sports pages thanks to his love of motorcycling.

"He was an avid Aston Villa fan and penned two books about his team as well as one on motorsport."

MNA Editor-in-chief Martin Wright said: “James will be sorely missed for his humour and his unflappable demeanour in the newsroom. He was a conscientious and dedicated member of our team, not to mention a very talented journalist.

“Above all, he was a thoughtful and caring human being, which made him so popular with all of his colleagues."

One of the tributes, from Mark Andrews, states: "Farewell James, one of the most easy-going and upbeat people I have ever known.

"So many laughs and fun times."

One story James covered was the Birmingham pub bombings families’ campaign for justice.

The campaign has been led by Julie and Brian Hambleton’s Justice 4 the 21 group, which paid tribute saying: "James was truly a tenacious, honest journalist with integrity who wrote about our loved ones with kindness and respect for which we will always be grateful.

"This donation is a very small token of our thanks to James for what he did for so many."

An avid Aston Villa fan, James, who lived in Netherton, ran marathons to raise money for the John Taylor Hospice which cared for his late father.

Halesowen News:

James Driver-Fisher, running a marathon to raise money for the John Taylor Hospice. Photo: Hannah Fisher.

Police were called to the scene of the crash on Saltwells Road at the junction with Cradley Road at around 12.40am on Sunday October 31.

The drivers of both cars stayed at the scene to help police with their enquiries and no arrests have been made.