THIRTHEEN years ago, Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing's younger sister, Vicki, died after she developed a malignant tumour.

The Northern Echo newspaper's chief football writer PAUL FRASER tells of the enormous impact it had on the family and how, using their international footballing fame, they are raising money in her memory.

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ON May 30, 1993, little Vicki Downing lost her heart-breaking two-year battle for life.

She was only four. The world of her parents, Kerry and Stewart, and their two children, Natalie and Stewart Jr, collapsed around them at their home in Pallister Park, Middlesbrough.

It was worse, far worse, than the day two years earlier when they received the crushing news from doctors that Vicki - then only two years old - had a cancerous tumour in her stomach. It was the tumour that killed her.

Had she survived, she would be looking forward to her 18th birthday on January 17; she would have two other sisters, 12-year-old Haylie and 16-month-old Amelia; and she would have moved with her family from the terraces of city centre Pallister Park to the more luxurious Grey Towers Park estate, on the outskirts of the town.

She would also have watched with joy and amazement as her elder brother Stewart broke first into the Middlesbrough football team, playing in the Premiership and then into the England team, playing in the World Cup.

Time, as is so often the case, has proved to be a great healer for the Downings, but the pain never really goes away.

Once a week, the family visit Vicki's grave and remember fondly the short time they shared together.

"Neuroblastoma was the tumour's name, " says Mrs Downing, her eyes moistening as she holds a photograph of Vicki. "It is a horrible name to remember for a horrible thing."

On average, 55 children die of a neuroblastoma every year.

There have been 486 cases in the past five years, with nearly all the victims younger than ten. It is often found in the abdomen, but can also occur next to the spine, in the chest or in the head.

Ever since Vicki died, the Downings have regularly raised money for the Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary's children's cancer ward, where she was cared for by Professor Andy Pearson, who has stayed in touch with them.

Now, more than a decade later and helped by Stewart's fame, the Vicki Downing Memorial Fund is being set up by the family.

"At the time we lost Vicki, I do not think Stewart really realised exactly what was going on, " says Mrs Downing, 40. "He was only nine. As the years have passed, though, he has become more and more affected by it."

So much so that he has photographs of Vicki all over his house, which is just around the corner from his parents' home.

"I think about her all of the time, " says Stewart, 22. "I am one of those who is lucky.

"When you look at what has happened to me, it shows how fortunate people can be, but there are lot of kids out there, like Vicki, who are seriously ill.

"I know, because of what happened to Vicki, that it can be really difficult to deal with for anyone who is close to the family."

Now, together with The Northern Echo, he has launched an auction of some of his most prized footballing memorabilia.

The highest bidders will be invited on stage at the paper's Local Heroes awards night on November 30 to meet Stewart and collect their items.

Up for auction is the England shirt Stewart wore during the World Cup, and the Middlesbrough shirt he wore in last May's historic Uefa Cup final in Eindhoven.

"When my sister died, the Royal Victoria Infirmary asked us if we wanted to help raise some money and every year since we have tried to do little things, " says Stewart, who is also auctioning two shirts signed by team-mate Jonathan Woodgate.

"This year, though, I thought, 'Why not try to do something different and raise a bit of money by selling my shirts, boots and some of the other lads' shirts?'

"I am a professional footballer who is in a really fortunate position. I know that and that is why I am giving something back.

"Although I was young, that period of my life was really, really difficult to deal with. Now I am older, it is good to be in a position where I can help."

HOW TO BID

See the Northern Echo's sports pages for details of the lots and latest news on bids.

To take part, write the lot number and the amount you are offering, plus your name, address and phone number, and send it to Downing Auction, The Northern Echo, Priestgate, Darlington DL1 1NF, or email your bid to lynsey.earnshaw.@nne.co.uk.

You can also log onto The Northern Echo's website on www.thenorthernecho.co.uk The auction will end at noon on Tuesday, November 28, and the highest bidders will be invited to the Local Heroes awards night at Hardwick Hall, Sedgefield, County Durham, on Thursday, November 30.

Lot One: Downing's England shirt, signed and framed, which he wore against Trinidad and Tobago in the World Cup.

Lot Two: Downing's Middlesbrough shirt, signed and framed, which he wore in May's UEFA Cup final.

Lot Three: Woodgate's signed and framed Real Madrid shirt.

Lot Four: A signed and framed Middlesbrough shirt worn by Woodgate

Lot Five: Downing's World Cup boots, signed and framed, which will be auctioned at the Local Heroes awards night.