TWENTY years ago Ruth Tidy – “Roo” – was killed in a car accident, inspiring Roo’s Fund which has provided hundreds of small grants to help young people into education, training or employment.

The 18-year-old was killed in a head-on collision with a driver who was driving at 70mph on the wrong side of a 30mph road.

Following her death, parents Ian and Jackie Tidy of Darlington established ‘Roo’s Fund’ and selected youth homelessness charity Depaul UK as the beneficiary.

Ruth’s dad Ian said: “Ruth could never pass an outstretched hand or indeed anyone in need, and, because of this, we wanted the money she was saving for her university expenses to help those who were in need.

“Ruth would be very proud to know her fund has helped so many people. It has helped to return to many a sense of pride and self-worth.”

Since 1998, Roo’s Fund has provided thousands of grants to hundreds of young people who have gone on to become care workers, teaching assistants, aeronautical engineers, carpenters, hairdressers, mechanics, doctors, secretaries and to join many other trades and professions.

Depaul UK’s associate director for community engagement Nick Sinclair said: “The Fund is used for all sorts of things to support young people to identify and meet their goals.

“Roo’s Fund is one of the many things that make me proud to work for Depaul.

"Everything about it is about putting our values into practice.

“On behalf of everyone at Depaul, and all the young people that the fund has helped, I want to say ‘thankyou’ to the Tidy family.”