IT WAS set up to remember two Hampshire men killed in a car crash and raise money for charity.

But a fundraiser website in memory of Dean Paling and Tom Emery broke the £2,500 barrier within just 48 hours.

Dean, 23, and Tom, 24, known by his friends as Tommy, were killed after the latter’s Mitsubishi Lancer crashed near the Hampshire village North Boarhunt last week.

Friend Dan Sainsbury set up the webpage for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust as Dean suffered from the illness throughout his life.

It was created with a target of £1,000 but by yesterday it has already hit £2,750.

Dan, 26, of Merry Oak, Southampton, said: “I have known Dean and Tom for years. Dean was a happy-golucky guy and never let his cystic fibrosis get him down and Tom was one of the most chilled out, genuinely nice guys I have ever met.

“I have set up an online vinyl business so I have all the equipment to make stickers. Dean was wellknown for his number plate so I thought people would like a nice, discreet version of the plate as a car sticker and in return they could donate. “Dean was always really enthusiastic about supporting the charity so I thought it would be nice to do something for the trust in their memory.

“I originally set a target of £300 and I didn’t really think I’d get close to that. I thought people might donate £1 or £2 but the way it has taken off has been a real surprise and I’m so grateful for everyone’s support. It’s been brilliant.”

Hundreds of people turned out at Hedge End Retail Park on Tuesday last week to remember the pair just 24 hours after the accident occurred.

Dan added: “You could look from the outside and see a lot of people and think they were turning up for the sake of it but in one way or another Dean and Tom would have known 90 per cent of people who were there. They were really connected to the area.”

To donate visit justgiving.com/stickittocf.