Cash pledge to Rhys memorial fund

Rhys was shot as he walked home from football practice

A charity has pledged to raise £300,000 for the Rhys Jones Memorial Fund to pay for youngsters' football tournaments.

Children's Aid Using Soccer Events (CAUSE) is replacing Tsunami Soccer Aid which was set up by ex-Liverpool player Jason McAteer after the 2004 disaster.

It will hold a tournament for Merseyside youngsters in May at Liverpool and Everton's academies to raise money.

Rhys, 11, was shot dead in Croxteth Park, Liverpool, in August.

Events planned

He was a keen Everton fan and his murder shocked the city of Liverpool. No-one has been charged over his killing.

The announcement of the money pledged to the memorial fund was made at a star-studded gala dinner at St George's Hall in Liverpool on Thursday night.

David Lockwood, who is Jason McAteer's agent, told guests how £500,000 had been raised at a Tsunami Soccer Aid celebrity football match in 2005.

He also revealed that Liverpool, Everton and Tranmere will all host games with the aim of raising £1m to support Save The Children's ongoing work in Indonesia.

"And we are getting together with the Rhys Jones Memorial Fund," he said.