THE grandson of a former Minehead lifeboat crew member has raised £500 for the station in his memory.

Jenson Phippen decided to walk or cycle a mile every day in May - and on Sunday went to the station to hand over his sponsorship money.

Jenson is the grandson of Denis Phippen, a highly popular member of the lifeboat crew in the 70s and 80s and who died seven years ago.

His mum Jo said: “Although he was only two when Denis died he still goes to the lifeboat shop to buy something on the anniversary of his grandfather’s death - and I think this year he wanted to do something really positive to help the RNLI.”

Minehead RNLI chairman Richard Newton said the entire crew had been highly impressed by Jenson’s efforts.

“To set himself a challenge like that and carry it out so successfully really says a lot about him,” he said.

“Denis is still remembered with a great deal of affection by the older station personnel - and it was great to have those memories revived by Jenson’s terrific gesture of support for our work here.”