FORMER Eastleigh Hockey Club player Ross Hawkins was just 20 years old when he died after a courageous battle against leukaemia.

At the time of his death in 1997 the club was unaware that their former colts player had passed away. But after stumbling across the tragic news only recently, they decided to stage an indoor hockey tournament to raise funds for leukaemia research.

Following the success of the tournament at Eastleigh's Fleming Park Leisure Centre, the club has decided to make it an annual event in memory of Ross.

Twenty teams from as far afield as Basingstoke, Oxford, Winchester, Southsea and Hamble - plus a Royal Navy team featuring players just back from service in Iraq - contested last weekend's tournament which it is hoped will have raised at least £1,000.

Club secretary Karen Fox said she found out about Ross's death when she set about contacting old members about marking the club's 21st anniversary.

The tournament's success more than pleased Mr and Mrs Hawkins of Broadlands Avenue, Boyatt Wood, Eastleigh, who have raised more than £20,000 for the Southampton Leukaemia and Transplant Unit.

Speaking of their son, they said: "He was a great lad. He had some terrible treatment and he hardly ever moaned. He just fought to live."