Scores of people braved freezing, foggy conditions to enjoy an evening Christmas market and help raise funds in memory of a boy who died in a road accident.

Six-year-old Finlay Connor was killed after he was hit by a bus as he walked to school in Woodborough last year while his mother Niki, who was with him, sustained severe injuries.

Mrs Connor, 39, who is still suffering the effects of the collision, later launched the Finlay Foundation with husband Greg to support causes and charities in her son’s memory.

As temperatures plunged and driving conditions became hazardous, Mrs Connor attended the market at the Woodborough Garden Centre a week ago last Tuesday with Findlay’s younger brother Louis, five.

After she and Louis helped Santa draw a raffle in aid of the foundation, Mrs Connor said: “I am very grateful to everyone who has turned up, despite the weather to support the event.

“Money raised will be used to buy toys to bring a smile to the faces of children when they are in hospital, hospices or away from home for other reasons.

“We want to keep the memory and spirit of Finlay alive in a way that would be a fitting tribute to him. “ The raffle and donations from stallholders raised about £160 for the charity.

During the evening celebration, children from Woodborough Primary School choir sang Christmas songs and members of the Mother’s Jam choral group added a festive touch with their tunes.

Mrs Connor was taking Finlay to the village school on March 14, 2011, when they were both struck by a bus as it moved off after dropping off pupils.

Finlay died by the time he had been taken to Great Western Hospital, Swindon.

Mrs Conner, who now lives in Rushall, spent weeks in Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, and is still receiving treatment and therapy for injuries to her legs and pelvis.

Despite this, she intends to mark the second anniversary of Finlay’s death next March by abseiling 190 feet down Avon Gorge in Bristol to raise further funds for the foundation.