A CHARITY night will be held in memory of two popular Workington friends, with the event also hoping to raise awareness of knife crime and violence.

Michael Jenkins and Nicholas Degraff, who both passed away within the past two years, were popular characters throughout the town of Workington, with hundreds of tributes pouring in for both men following their deaths.

Michael Jenkins died aged 24 on Sunday, June 4. Police Scotland confirmed that he was found with serious injuries in the town of Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire.

He was pronounced dead in the town's Watermill Road after police were called to reports of a disturbance at around 6pm.

On Wednesday, June 7, Alfie Whelan, 19, appeared before Peterhead Sheriff Court accused of Michael's murder.

After six ‘of the hardest weeks’ Michaels family have faced, they have decided to raise funds and awareness for charities fighting knife crime in the area, in honour of Michael's birthday.

Michael's sister Rachel said: “The hardest six weeks I have ever had to go through.

"I have been thinking of ways along with a few others on how we could celebrate his birthday this year and keep his memory alive... and the obvious way would be to get p****d and raise some money for something that matters."

She said that the organisers had settled on knife crime, following Michael's death.

“I know the life Michael lived, but when you lose a loved one in such an horrific way it changes your mindframe around everything... so we’ve decided to do a charity night in his memory this year, and raise as much awareness and money for a charity in his memory fighting against knife crime.

“Even if it means we stop one family going through what we are going through now, it will be worth it.”

Michael was the best friend of Nicholas Degraff whose body was found in the water at Workington Port on January 21, 2022, after going missing on December 12, 2021 from Great Clifton.

Rachel added: “We could never forget his brother Nicholas Degraff who he is now reunited with. Nic is so loved and so missed every single day, so we will be raising money for RNLI lifeboats too and celebrating both of their birthdays in style just how they would want.”

Further details about dates and venue’s will be released in the near future.