THREE eight-year-old Stockton friends spent their summer holidays raising money in memory of one of the pals' grandfather.

Stella Powell, Holly Sturgeon and Annabel Stubbs set up a stall at the end of Stella's drive in Highfield Road, Hartburn, to sell sweets, books and toys.

The trio raised £100 to give to the cardiology ward at James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, where Stella's grandfather, Tommy Powell, died last year aged 76.

Last year the best friends, who all attend Hartburn Primary School, in Stockton, raised funds for the Butterwick Hospice, which was Holly’s choice of charity and next year the girls plan to boost Cancer Research which is Annabel’s choice.

Stella’s mother, Claire, said: “The girls' dedication to man the stall was unbelievable. They even stood outside in the rain sheltering under umbrellas.

“The whole family are tremendously proud of the girls for what they have achieved as would Tommy have been. He was a wonderful father and grandfather, an absolute gentleman who was funny loving and thoughtful yet modest and wise and whom we all miss so dreadfully. He would have been so proud of what the girls have achieved in his memory.”