THE memory of 22-year-old Connor Johnson from Ringwood, who died after a crash on the A31, has been honoured with the donation of £4,000 to two charities.

The money was raised during A Party in the Park, which was held earlier this month by Fordingbridge Fire Station at Riverside Park in Fordingbridge.

Cheques were presented to Dorset Mind and the Firefighters Charity on Wednesday.

Connor’s dad AJ said he was honoured this year’s event was in memory of his son, who was a fire cadet and a volunteer with Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service working with several projects supporting other young people after he benefited from attending a similar project himself.

AJ, who is a firefighter for Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, performed at the event with his band Snatch Rescue.

He hopes the donation to Dorset Mind will help raise the profile of the charity and support local people in the area.

He said: “Something good can come from this.”

He praised Pete White and the team at Fordingbridge Fire Station for organising the event, adding: “What Pete and the team do is amazing.” 

This year’s A Party in the Park was attended by 300 people. It was the third year the event has been held in Fordingbridge.

Kerry James, of the Firefighters Charity, said: “We’re delighted to receive the donation. Thank you to everyone for their hard work and staging this event and making it a success for two worthy charities.”

And Dee Swinton of Dorset Mind added: “Two thousand pound makes a massive difference to us.”

It is hoped the donation can be used to support the charity’s youth befriending initiative.

Connor's family and friends and AJ's colleagues and fellow friends in Snatch Rescue will be organising events to raise money for Mind and the Firefighters charity in the future.