PLAYERS, officials and fans of darts travelled to Tynemouth on Saturday for the Eddy Cox Benefit Evening.
Former PDC marker and players' marshall Eddy passed away suddenly in December 2008, with the Benefit Evening held in tribute and to raise funds for his family.
Eddy's brother Tommy Cox, the PDC Tournament Director, has written the following tribute:
On behalf of the family of the late Eddy Cox I would like to place on record our sincere and heartfelt appreciation of everyone who attended and made last Saturday's Benefit Evening such an unqualified success.
The Park hotel was packed out and the atmosphere was unique, a celebration yet an evening of respect dedicated to a man who had no enemies and helped innumerable people over the years.
It would be impossible to name everyone who has helped, be it as a donor of auction items or cash, a bidder for auction items, an attendee last Saturday or indeed anyone who has had a kind word to say about Eddy since his untimely death.
There are, however, some people who I would like to publicly acknowledge for their outstanding contribution and commitment to Eddy's memory and his family's future prospects.
To the PDC security staff who attended to a man with a special thanks to Billy Cook, Gary Powell and Pete Bryant, who not only worked free of charge on the night but paid their own travel and accommodation expenses to do so.
To the players who attended either or both the funeral and the benefit evening, the famous and the not so famous who showed their love of the man.
To Barry Hearn for his attendance and generosity which highlights the tightness of the bond within the Organisation which is the PDC.
To my colleagues at the PDC for their support, notably Chief Executive Matt Porter and Media Officer Dave Allen, who were both there on the night.
To my long-standing friend Edward Lowy who not only donated generously to the fund but made the effort to be there on the night.
To the players who participated on the night, Mark Dudbridge, Mark Walsh, Colin Lloyd, Colin Osborne, Bob Anderson, Rod Harrington, Phil Nixon (Lee Henderson sponsored Nixy's game with a large donation, thanks Lee), and of course Phil Taylor.
Phil donated a large sum to the fund and told me from day one that he would be there.
Forget darts and his huge achievements in the game. Phil, I am proud to call you my friend.
My thanks to old gravel voice Russ Bray who called all of the games, helped run the auction and was at my side for anything that was needed.
Also a thanks to Chris Sargeant, who took pictures on the night and travelled to help at his own expense.
Special words for a special girl, the soon to be Mrs Porter - Jo Birchall.
What a singer, if she doesn't become a star then there's no justice in the world, thanks a million Jo.
To my sons Danny and Neil along with their bandmates in "The Cheap Suits" - I'm biased but they were great.
To another I am proud to call friend John McDonald, he absolutely made the night with his brilliant management of the whole evening and his enthusiasm which shone through like a beacon.
He loved Eddy and it showed.
And Scott Gibling, what can I say about Scott which truly expresses my gratitude to him?
He worked tirelessly on the build up to the evening, throughout the day preparing and then throughout the whole evening on the presentation of the event.
Thanks Scott, the entire Cox family love you dearly.
Apologies if I have missed anyone but as I have said we are grateful to everyone who has shown an interest and given a fond thought to Eddy since his passing.
He will always be remembered by an awful lot of people.
Finally, if anyone has any last minute donations for the fund, which stands at £23,000-plus at the moment then please send them to Edward Cox Memorial Fund:
The Derbyshire Building Society
Account name: The Edward Cox Memorial Fund Trust
Account Number: 331293804
(all cheques must be made payable to the account name word for word)
The address of the local branch where the account was opened is The Derbyshire Building Society, 11 District Shopping Centre, Sinfin, Derby, DE24 3DS.
Thank you and God Bless from me, the rest of the Cox family and of course Eddy himself.
Pictures from the Eddy Cox Benefit Evening can be seen here