Family and friends gathered in Ashford to remember football fan and car enthusiast Danny Hall who died last month with his close friend Josh Robinson.

Around 40 people attended the special night, held in a park off Bluebell Road, in Park Farm, where Danny played as a boy.

Among them were his parents, Brian and Michelle Hall, his sisters Stephanie and Kirsty, girlfriend Rachel, his nephew and his nan and grandad.

The night, held last Friday, included a balloon release, which had messages for Danny, a postman, attached to them.

Mrs Hall said: “It was a lovely evening. There was happiness and sadness.

“We had 25 balloons, for Danny’s age. Everyone was handed a card and they had time to write a message to Danny.

“We then tied them to the balloons, before releasing them. They looked great, all different colours.

“We also had food and drinks, and we chatted and reminisced."

Also in attendance was Marcus and Jenny Robinson, whose son Josh, 22, died with Danny when the car they were

driving in plunged 1,312 feet from a mountain road in Austria last month.

The childhood friends were on day seven of the Great European Rally, an eight-day drive through seven countries, when the tragedy happened.

An investigation into the crash is underway.

The following night around 250 people attended an organised car meet in Dover Place, Ashford, held in memory of both Josh and Danny.

Car stickers and a CD featuring a version of See You Again by Wiz Khalifa, which was put together by Josh’s friend Sam Barnes, were on sale, and a raffle was also held.

In total, £1,435 was raised for the Josh Robinson Trust Fund, which was launched by Josh’s parents following his death.

They hope to donate money to a different charity each year on the anniversary of his death.

Mr Robinson said he hoped “some good will come from the bad”.

Saturday also included the first showing of a car that Josh, along with two friends, had spent months upgrading.

After it was complete, the trio sold the 2008 black Seat Leon to a man in Northamptonshire.

However, after Josh’s death, a campaign was launched to buy back the car and within a week the target amount of £6,500 was raised.

The car was returned to Ashford last week and has been fitted with a picture of Josh and a personalised number plate.

Josh’s funeral will take place today (Friday) at St Michael’s and All Angels Church in Kingsnorth at 2pm.

His family say all are welcome but request that no children attend.

The wake will be held at the Conningbrook Hotel, in Kennington from 3.30pm.

Donations can be made to The Josh Robinson Trust Fund or flowers can be arranged through Doves Funeral Directors, on 01233 643000.

Danny's funeral will take place on Tuesday (August 18), at 2pm at the same church.

Anyone is welcome, although the family’s preference is that no one wears black.

Afterwards people are invited to the Kennington Carvery, in Ulley Road, Kennington.