SPECIAL events are being organised to make tenth anniversary of the death of talented young sportsman Steve Bernard.

Steve died in a car accident on November 2 2005 near Chichester where he was studying.

His family and friends set up a foundation in his memory and a decade later it is going from strength to strength.

"It is incredible to think it has been ten years," said dad, Tony who is the driving force behind the Steve Bernard Foundation.

"Not a day goes by that we don't think about Stevie.

"The work of the charity is an amazing legacy and I think that he would be gobsmacked to see what everyone is doing in his name."

Steve was just 18 when he and two friends died in a crash near their university accommodation. All three had just started sports-related degrees at the University of Chichester.

The former Bournemouth School pupil was a skilled footballer who played for The Grange as a child before signing for Christchurch FC at the age of 11.

The foundation helps young people at home and abroad in their sporting endeavours.

So far this year it has funded coaching courses for, amongst others, the Grasshoppers netball club, Bournemouth BMX Club and Bishop of Winchester School along with football goals and nets to Christchurch Junior School and kits to Poole High.

Sports equipment has been sent out to orphanages in Thailand (through Longfleet YFC) and to South Africa via Corfe Hills School.

The charity also ran a sporting Dragon's Den for schools with four winners; Muscliff Junior, Elmrise, St Walburga's and Moordown St John.

"Through the efforts of many, many people, we have raised more than £225,000 over the ten years for deserving causes and to help youngsters realise their ambitions," said Tony.

He added: "Our big event for 2015 is Rome to Home. There will 21 cyclists, including me, and three helpers and we'll being doing 1400 miles in 13 days. We are training hard!"

Steve's brother Jacques is organising ten sporting events and challenges to mark the tenth anniversary.