This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-33556758

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
MH17 anniversary: John Alder and Liam Sweeney remembered MH17 anniversary: John Alder and Liam Sweeney remembered
(about 14 hours later)
Family and friends of two football fans killed in the MH17 air disaster will mark its anniversary by gathering at the stadium where the pair spent some of their happiest times. Family and friends of two football fans killed in the MH17 air disaster have marked its anniversary by gathering at the stadium where the pair spent some of their happiest times.
Newcastle United supporters John Alder, 63, and Liam Sweeney, 28, were travelling to New Zealand to watch the team play in a pre-season tour when they were killed on July 17 last year.Newcastle United supporters John Alder, 63, and Liam Sweeney, 28, were travelling to New Zealand to watch the team play in a pre-season tour when they were killed on July 17 last year.
The club created a memorial outside St James' Park.The club created a memorial outside St James' Park.
A service will be held at 11:30 BST. A service was held at 11:30 BST.
All 298 people on board the Malaysia Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur died when the aircraft came down over eastern Ukraine, amid reports it was shot down by pro-Russian rebels.All 298 people on board the Malaysia Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur died when the aircraft came down over eastern Ukraine, amid reports it was shot down by pro-Russian rebels.
'Extremely painful''Extremely painful'
Mr Alder had missed just one of Newcastle United's matches, home and away, in 40 years and was the first member of its Platinum Club.Mr Alder had missed just one of Newcastle United's matches, home and away, in 40 years and was the first member of its Platinum Club.
An anonymous friend has pledged £5,000 to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation to take over the bond which gives fans enhanced membership.An anonymous friend has pledged £5,000 to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation to take over the bond which gives fans enhanced membership.
His sister, Joyce Robbins, said: "My brother was an extremely private man and he would have been so uncomfortable with all the publicity about him in the last year.His sister, Joyce Robbins, said: "My brother was an extremely private man and he would have been so uncomfortable with all the publicity about him in the last year.
"The last year has been a rollercoaster, really. It's difficult to explain. Sometimes I've felt like we were living someone else's life."The last year has been a rollercoaster, really. It's difficult to explain. Sometimes I've felt like we were living someone else's life.
"We've had so much to do and become so involved with John's life, even though he wasn't here, that it's been like walking in his shoes. We became his representative."We've had so much to do and become so involved with John's life, even though he wasn't here, that it's been like walking in his shoes. We became his representative.
"It's been very difficult, and extremely painful at times, but we've had fantastic support from so many people.""It's been very difficult, and extremely painful at times, but we've had fantastic support from so many people."
Mr Sweeney's father, Barry, travelled to the Netherlands this week to meet other bereaved families, and said: "It was very emotional. All went well from start to finish.Mr Sweeney's father, Barry, travelled to the Netherlands this week to meet other bereaved families, and said: "It was very emotional. All went well from start to finish.
"I have met lots of nice people out there. We will be in touch forever.""I have met lots of nice people out there. We will be in touch forever."
Last week he handed over a cheque to the foundation after colleagues and customers at Morrisons' Killingworth store, where his son had worked for 12 years, raised £6,150.Last week he handed over a cheque to the foundation after colleagues and customers at Morrisons' Killingworth store, where his son had worked for 12 years, raised £6,150.