BRITAIN’S best-loved aerobatic display team will sign off an eight-year fundraising campaign in honour of Marine Alec Lucas.

Since the 24-year-old Royal Marine Commando’s death in 2008, his family and friends have raised over £115,000 for local football causes and several military charities.

But the hard-working committee who have organised the annual football tournament, fun day and evening reception each year have announced that the fundraising will be scaled back after next month’s tournament.

And the Red Arrows will carry out a spectacular fly over to signal the end of the eight year effort.

Alec’s father, Adrian, has been one of the charity’s driving forces. He said: “The Red Arrows no less - this is the last big family fun day memorial tournament and it is hard to think of a more fitting way to end on.

“The reason we are hanging up our boots and drawing the large scale fundraising events to a close is purely because there are so many other fantastic local initiatives and charities needing support. Local business cannot support us all.

“We have had eight fantastic years and cannot thank our supporters, sponsors, local businesses and helpers enough.

“Together we have helped make a difference not only to our Local Football Clubs but also to Royal Marines, their families, and veterans from all over the UK.”

Red Arrows pilot Stewart Campbell agreed for the world-famous display team to make the fly over at the conclusion of the tournament and fun day on Saturday, June 4 at around 6.30pm.

It is anticipated they will fly down the Tweed valley, over Neidpath Castle, and break off as they reach Tweed Green and Whitestone Park.

Adrian added: “As ever the military ensure that any of their brothers in arms are never forgotten and Stu Campbell is doing just that and we the family cant thank him, the Red Arrows and the RAF enough.”

Although the fundraising arm of the Alec Lucas Memorial Fund is being wound, members will continue to run the memorial football tournament each summer.

Since the charity was formed it has made 41 donations to local football teams and groups.