A MEMORIAL fund for a brave teenager has reached almost £20,000 thanks to a fundraising cricket match.

Katie Hart-Greenfield was just 15 when she died of a brain tumour in February last year.

The popular pupil at Westcliff High School for Girls was remembered at the match on Sunday, which raised more than £1,200 for Little Havens Children’s Hospice in Thundersley.

More than 200 spectators enjoyed the day at Little Baddow Cricket Club with Southend XI beating Little Baddow XI.

Katie’s dad Nick, 47, of Holyoak Lane, Hawkwell, said: “It has been 18 months now since we lost Katie and it is still tough. Of course we all miss her terribly and not a day goes by when she is not constantly in our thoughts.

“We do as much fundraising for Little Havens as we can, which is a real focus for us and something that comes naturally bearing in mind how wonderful the hospice was to Katie and to our family.”

Katie lived in Bicknacre with with her mum, Jo Greenfield, stepdad Rob, and her two brothers.

Mr Hart added: “The cricket match is very important for us. Last year we raised £5,400 for Little Havens and Danbury Mission Evangelical Church, which Katie attended.

“We held an auction of Harry Potter books signed by Daniel Radcliffe, and a signed Southend United shirt.

A website in Katie's memory can be found at www.friends ofkatie.co.uk