A MEMORIAL fund set up by the parents of a girl killed in a road accident, has given £1,000 to the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain.

Sophie's Silver Lining Fund was founded in memory of Sophie Large, from Chacombe, near Banbury.

Sophie died, aged 19, in 1998, when her car was in collision with a lorry on the A361 near her home.

Sophie's ambition was a career in the theatre and her parents, Dr Stephen and Cherry Large, began the fund to help other young people with similar aims.

The presentation, at St Mary's Church, Banbury, on Friday, during a choir concert, followed the death earlier this year of choir member Matthew Courtney.

Sophie became friends with Matthew when both attended a NYCGB training week.

Mrs Large said: "Matthew's parents asked people to donate to Sophie's Fund in his memory. She become great friends with Matthew and he visited us several times before and after Sophie's death.

"He was a talented singer and actor, as she had been. It is bitter-sweet that our fund has benefited substantially this year from some thousands of pounds donated in Matthew's memory."

The money will help choristers who cannot afford training course fees.

Mrs Large added: "We are delighted the choir sang in St Mary's Church. The concert was superb."