The family of a father and son who died after a car crash want to make sure their deaths won't be in vain.

Dartford dad Andy Hoyle, 36, was killed in the accident on the A267 at Frant on August 18. Joshua, aged two, died from his injuries nine days later.

But Andy's brother Shane said they will be "forever grateful" to the air ambulance service for getting his nephew to the hospital so quickly as it meant they had those nine extra days with Joshua - giving them the chance to say their goodbyes and "kiss him goodnight".

The family have decided to raise funds for the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance.

They have already collected more than £6,000 on an online donation page and now Shane, along with his other brother Ian, are organising a charity football match.

It will be held in Crayford, where the brothers grew up.

Shane, 40, said: "The air ambulance got my nephew to the hospital so quickly, so we had more time with him.

"We will be forever grateful to them for that time we had. It meant a lot.."

"If it wasn't for them, we probably wouldn't have had those nine days. We will be forever grateful to them for that time we had. It meant a lot.

"So we want to raise a bit of money for the air ambulance.

"They don't get any government funding, they rely on donations from the likes of you and me. "By raising money it will give someone else that chance in their hour of need."

The JustGiving page raised around £2,000 in just two weeks and the total now stands at £6,600 with Gift Aid.

Shane, who lives near Brands Hatch, said of Andy and Joshua: "It just goes to show how many people they touched and how loved they were.

"I initially set the page up with a £500 target. It has been amazing to get so much support.

"You can see from the messages we have had what Andy was like. He was cheeky, full of life and just a happy-go-lucky guy. Joshua was energetic and very loving."

Andy lived in Dartford with his wife Trudie and Joshua, and worked nights at Sainsbury's in Crayford.

One colleague who donated online wrote: "What can I say, Andy was such a lovely person to work with - always happy and smiling."

Among the contributions is just over £800 from a collection at Sainsbury's in Eastbourne.

"Losing not only my brother, but my nephew as well has been devastating..."

The family are now in talks with Crayford Arrows to hold the charity game at their stadium in Perry Street, Bexleyheath, on Sunday, October 24.

They are planning a day packed with activities including a bouncy castle, stalls, raffle and competitions.

Shane said: "Local businesses have donated raffle prizes and Crayford Arrows have been brilliant.

"The support we have had has been overwhelming. It is good to see people care about things like this.

"We just want people to come down on the day and show their support for the charity."

He added: "The fundraising has kept me and my brother busy. Andy liked football, he was a Chelsea supporter. I think he would have been proud of what we are doing.

"Losing not only my brother, but my nephew as well has been devastating. It has been hard but it is something we will get through together as a family."

To donate click here.

Sign up to KentOnline's WhatsApp service and find out how else to get your news here.

Read more: All the latest news from Dartford