A NEW community card launched at a Tadley supermarket will raise thousands of pounds for a local fund, set up in memory of two young men who died in a car crash.

Every year, the Co-op store, in Franklin Avenue, Tadley, runs a Community Support Card Scheme to support a local fund, voted for by shoppers, and this year, by an overwhelming margin, The Jake and Lee Tadley Youth Fund was chosen.

The fund was set up two months ago by a group of mothers to raise money for youth facilities in Tadley, in memory of teenagers Jake Burden and Lee Robinson, who tragically died as passengers in a collision at Gales Garage, in Sherborne St John, in the early hours of August 12, 2007.

Both Jake and Lee's mothers are on the fund's committee.

Jake's mother Jane Cook, of Whitedown Road, said: "The Tadley community is really special and has pulled together through such a tragic time.

"I think this fund is just the start of something really good."

Lee's mum Sam Robinson, of Lake Court, added: "It gives us grieving mothers something to focus on."

Donna Fowler, chairman of the fund, explained that they plan to develop Tadley skatepark, in Broadhalfpenny Lane, where Jake and Lee spent a lot of time, but also to build a soft play area for younger kids.

Mrs Fowler said: "We have a lot of ideas. We also want to set up a youth club for children from Year 9 upwards, because they are the ones who really need something to do.

"Something positive has got to come out of something so tragic."

For the scheme, customers fill in a form to get a card, which is scanned when they pay for shopping, and for every pound spent, three pence goes towards the chosen fund.

Mike Tiller, community relations adviser for Southern Co-operatives, explained: "The scheme runs for about a year, or until the target is reached, and the target for this branch, this year, is £10,000.

"The community are well and truly behind the fund here. We will give the organisers advice and support as part of the scheme, and help them to register as a charity, if they wish."