COLLEAGUES of Liam Sweeney, who lost his life in last year’s MH17 air tragedy, have raised £1,000 in memory of the football-mad trade unionist.

The cash was collected at an event dedicated to Mr Sweeney, a supermarket worker and Usdaw member, at the union’s conference.

It’s the union’s first gathering since the Air Malaysia flight was shot down over Ukraine on July 17, killing 198 people.

Mr Sweeney was on his way to watch Newcastle United in New Zealand with fellow fan John Adler.He has been nominated for the title of football fan of the year in the Facebook Football Awards.

Usdaw members from the north-east recalled him doing night shifts at Morrisons to ensure he never missed a Magpies match.

Co-worker Michael Green told the Star: “He was a quiet man and a great football fan — he only worked so he could attend all the matches.”

Mr Sweeney’s family have asked for half the money raised by Usdaw members this week to be donated to a cancer charity named after former Newcastle United manager Sir Bobby Robson.

The other £500 will be donated to Marie Curie hospices, which care for people with terminal illnesses.

His colleagues have already raised thousands of pounds for the two charities by holding a wear-a-football-shirt-to-work day and playing a match in his memory.

Usdaw general secretary John Hannett paid tribute to Mr Sweeney, saying the “long-standing member was too young to be taken.”

A thank-you message from Mr Sweeney’s father Barry sent was displayed on the big screens in the hall.