More than £500,000 raised for families of two police officers killed in A66 crash which took seven lives
The fundraiser for the families of PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, was set up after they lost their lives near Middlesbrough on Saturday
An online fundraiser set up to support the families of two police officers killed in a deadly car crash on the A66 has reached £500,000.
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The fundraiser for the families of PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, was set up after they lost their lives after a collision involving a car driving the wrong way down a dual carriageway near Middlesbrough on Saturday.
Cole Robert Worthy and Theo Rae, both 17, Makai Saddington, 18, and 23-year-olds Michael Robert Cahill and Jacob Matusiak were pronounced dead at the scene.
Their vehicle, a VW Passat, was driving the wrong way down the A66 and hit PC Blades and Clough's car.
In the wake of the tragedy, a fundraiser launched by the Cleveland Police Federation hit the milestone £228,000 on Monday, as the force paid tribute to "valued members of the policing family."
Adding: "We are a small force, and losses like this are felt deeply."
PC Blades' wife said he "gave his life in the line of duty, protecting and serving others with courage, dedication and selflessness".
Before joining the force, PC Blades taught English at Carmel College in Darlington.
The college said: "Many within our community will remember Matty as an intelligent, kind and approachable teacher, a valued colleague and someone who gave generously of himself to the young people in his care."
The family of PC Clough described the former soldier as "our hero".
They said he "jumped into action whenever needed" and was "willing to help anyone for any reason".
The family statement added that he "proudly fought for his country to make the world a better place".