Friend of MH17 victim buys his seat at St James Park and donates to Bobby Robson Foundation

John Alder was the first ever Platinum Club member

Today marks a year since Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 fell out of the sky above Ukraine in a suspected missile attack, with the loss of everyone on board.

Liam Sweeney, 28, from Westerhope, and John Alder, 63, from Low Fell, were two of 298 people who tragically lost their lives that day.

The two football fans were on their way to watch Newcastle United play in a pre-season friendly in New Zealand and, one year on, they will be remembered along with their fellow passengers.

John Alder was an avid Newcastle fan and missed just one game, home and away, in 40 years.

Now, thanks to an extremely generous gesture from a friend, John’s seat at St James’ Park will remain filled by fellow fans who knew him and attended games alongside him.

The friend, who does not wish to be named, asked John’s family if he could take over John’s Platinum Club Bond in exchange for a £5,000 donation to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. John's family kindly agreed andJohn's wife Joyce visited his seat at the ground with Sir Bobby Robson's wife Elsie.

The charity has been well supported by John’s family who, with a great deal of help from Newcastle United and auctioneers Anderson and Garland, raised £26,000 by auctioning John’s extensive collection of football memorabilia.

Colleagues and customers at Morrisons’ Killingworth, where Liam Sweeney worked for 12 years, have also generously contributed to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation through fundraising.

Barry Sweeney, Liam’s dad, and store manager Adrian Farrage presented £6,150 to the charity last week.

The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation funds projects within the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust which contribute to international efforts and research into fighting cancer.