A NORTH Yorkshire community has raised more than £2,000 in memory of two friends who were killed in a car crash.

Family and friends of Darren Scaife, 18, and Matthew Jarvis, 22, from Norton, have collected the money in the weeks since the crash.

The pair, who were half-cousins, died when their car ran out of control on Racecourse Road, between East Ayton and Scarborough in February.

Matthew's mum, Maureen, and her cousin Shirley, Darren's mum, said both families had been overwhelmed with the support they have received since the tragedy.

"We wanted to thank the community for the way they have shown their support, the response has been unbelievable," said Mrs Jarvis, of Priorpot Way.

"The public said it all - until we read the papers and heard what people said about them, we did not know."

Mrs Scaife, of Sutton Street, said so many flowers had been sent to the boys' homes, and each family had received more than 200 cards and letters of condolence.

"You could tell by the funeral they were two really well-liked boys, never any trouble, just good lads," she said.

Nearly 600 people packed St Peter's Church in Norton for a double funeral service, and more than £1,000 was donated at the church.

That money was split between St Peter's Church, and Norton College, where the boys had been students, said Mrs Jarvis. A special bench will be put in the school grounds, with the remaining cash spent on PE equipment.

Since the funeral, money has continued pouring in, which the families have decided to divide amongst the community.

Mrs Scaife said: "That's what we wanted and that's what the boys would have wanted as well.

"Both of them loved children, so we said the money would go towards children."

Children at the swimming club in Norton, where Matthew worked and helped out, will benefit from £300 and a shield in memory of the boys.

At Norton County Primary £100 and a shield for sports day has been given.

Norton Scouts will benefit from a cash donation of £300.

Firefighters in Malton have been given £100 to buy cutting gear for the station, and £150 has been donated to the Sunday School at St Peter's to buy equipment for its Friday night club.

Mrs Scaife said £100 had been reserved to pay for two trees, which will be planted at the crash site.

Any spare money is to be donated to a charity to help children with special needs.

Updated: 11:11 Thursday, April 10, 2003