THOUSANDS of pounds has been raised for two medical research charities in memory of a popular young North East student who died from brain cancer.

Talented drummer Alex Thompson, 20, passed away peacefully at home in Northumberland in July, just over a year after doctors discovered a massive tumour in his right frontal lobe.

Alex – who was studying for a music degree in London when he was diagnosed with the tumour – amazed his family, friends and medical professionals with his upbeat attitude to his cancer, which he repeatedly vowed would not beat him.

However, he finally succumbed to the disease, and died at his home in Stead Lane, Bedlington, where he lived with his father Brian, mother Angela and sister Eilish, 18.

Now former students and staff at the Tech Music School (TMS) in London, where Alex was studying for a bachelor of music degree, have raised £4,000 by holding a special musical evening in his memory.

At the request of his family, the proceeds will be donated to Cancer Research and the Samantha Dickson Trust, the UK’s biggest and leading specialist brain tumour charity.

Alex’s parents and sister, as well as some of his North East friends, travelled down to support the fundraising event, which was billed as At The Heart Of It and held in the Euphorium music venue in Acton, west London.