AN appeal launched in memory of an inspirational young man has got off to a swingin' start.

Members of the Children's Aid committee held their first event for the Robert Broude Memorial Fund and raised an impressive £7,500.

The successful event was a music quiz hosted by DJ Mike Sweeney at Philips Park Hall in Whitefield and attracted 340 people.

Children's Aid has been running for more than 14 years and involves a group of businessmen from Prestwich and Whitefield who raise thousands of pounds each year for hospitals and other good causes.

The men are good friends of the Broude family, from Prestwich, who lost their son Robert in December to cancer.

Bernard Morrison, a committee member and best friend of Robert's dad, Peter, said: "As well as Peter and I being good friends, my son Ben was friends with Robert and they were born just a week apart, so when Robert died it affected all of us.

"The members of Children's Aid wanted to do something to help so we went to see a professor at Christie's and we decided to raise money for an extension to the Young Oncology Unit, where Robert passed away. We don't know how much we have to raise, whether it be £100,000 or £200,000, but we will do whatever it takes."

Nineteen-year-old Robert, of Scholes Lane, passed away peacefully on December 18 at Christie Hospital. He was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2002 which only affects adolescent boys.

The Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumour began on his pelvis and spread to his abdomen and, although Robert had an operation to remove the tumour, doctors discovered cancerous spots on his liver.

In his short life, Robert proved to be an inspiration to others by achieving all his ambitions.

He passed his driving test, attained brilliant A-level results and fulfilled his ambition of going to university where he completed his first term at Sheffield.

A day after his 18th birthday, Robert ran in the Race for Life event in Heaton Park with his mum Helena.

This year Helena, who has two other sons, Adam and Mark, repeated the race with a host of friends and family around her.

The group proudly wore T-shirts bearing a photograph of brave Robert and details of the Children's Aid Robert Broude Memorial Fund.

Commenting on the music quiz, Mr Morrison added: "The event was a great success and everyone had an amazing time. This was our launch event and we are very pleased with the result. We could have sold the tickets twice over."