A charity set up in memory of a victim of 9/11 will close, it has announced.

The Robert Eaton Memorial Fund (REMF) was launched in memory of Robert Eaton, who was just 37 when he died in the terror attacks at The World Trade Center in New York.

Robert, a Brighton and Hove Albion fan who lived in New York, was working on the 105th floor of the World Trade Centre when it was struck by a hijacked plane in 2001.

Soon after Robert's death his fellow fans set up a memorial fund and began putting on fundraising events.

Now, the charity committee has said it has done "all it can" and has announced that it will close next year. 

Back in 2001, the charity hosted a football match between fans of Brighton and Crystal Palace to raise funds for football projects within the Hispanic communities in Queens, New York.

The Argus: Robert Eaton was just 37 when he was killed in the terror attacksRobert Eaton was just 37 when he was killed in the terror attacks

In 22 years since its inception it has raised more than £330,000 which has been donated to youth clubs and projects - mostly in Sussex.

The REMF committee said it wanted to offer its "heartfelt and eternal thanks to everyone who participated, contributed, sponsored, donated, had a friendly wager and raised funds on behalf of the charity since its inception in 2001".

Angela Ridge, Judith Lake and Barbara Stephenson, Robert's sisters agreed that the time was right, especially with the recent passing of their father, Douglas - himself a keen support of the charity.

They said: "It has been a source of immense pride and satisfaction that, out of something so horrific, this charity would be such a force for good for so long - all in our brother's name.

"We know it gave our parents great comfort with all the hard work being put in by so many volunteers."

The Argus: The REMF supports youth groups across the countyThe REMF supports youth groups across the county

Mike Langridge, REMF chairman, said: "After 22 amazing years, we feel the charity has done all it can. It is time to close REMF, and I can only say, from a personal point of view, what a privilege it has been to have been chairman for such an uplifting and worthwhile cause."

REMF vice-chairman, and manager of the Brighton REMF team, Brett Mendoza, said: "I feel so proud to have been a part of something so great, to have raised so much money for the charity, and to have hopefully made a difference for so many people.

"It's a great charity, but all good things must eventually come to an end. I will miss it."

There will be one more fundraising event before the charity's closure - the 21st and final REMF Challenge Trophy match.

Youth clubs and children's sports clubs are invited to apply for funding while the charity is still functioning, and any remaining funds will be donated to a project or charity of the committee's choosing.

The charity is expected to close on January 31, 2024.