A charity set up in the memory of a young sports star who lost his life in a car accident has reached the £200,000 milestone.

Former Bournemouth School pupil Steve Bernard was killed in November 2005, shortly after starting at university in Chichester.

His family and friends set up the Steve Bernard Foundation to raise money for worthy sporting causes.

And the organisation, run on a totally voluntary basis, has now topped one fifth of a million pounds.

Steve’s dad Tony, who is the foundation’s driving force, said: “It’s an amazing amount of money. Steve would have been absolutely gobsmacked.”

He added: “It’s a huge testament to the hundreds, if not thousands of people who have taken part in events over the years and continue to do so.

“I am very grateful to each and every one of them. They have made it happen. Without them we wouldn’t be anything.

“And of course it’s a fantastic tribute to Steve’s memory.”

A recent cycle ride in France was the event that helped top the £200,000 mark.

The charity has given money to hundreds of sporting causes with an increasing emphasis on disability.

It works closely with Linwood and Victoria schools and has partnerships with the universities at Bournemouth and Chichester and Bournemouth School, The Grange and Poole High School.

Other recipients include the Dorset Destroyers, a rugby team for the disabled.

The big event planned for next year is Rome to Home, a 16-day cycle ride back to the UK with 21 participants.

And one of Steve’s best friends has just arranged for a promotional pitch-side advertising hoarding at the home of Tony’s hometown football club Wolves – it reads “Serving Sport, Remembering Steve.”

For more information see the Steve Bernard Foundation on Facebook.