Richard Tookey was just 14 when Shoreham lifeboat crew rescued him and his family from their stricken yacht in 1948. Now the station has enough funds to fuel their lifeboat for 5 years after he donated £20,000 as a thank you.

Mr Tookey, who now lives in South Africa, was aboard a yacht with five other people in heavy seas in August 1948 when the sails became torn. Shoreham lifeboat crew rushed to their aid and rescued all six people.

Today’s generation of Shoreham volunteers were delighted to welcome Mr Tookey back to the station 65 years on. ‘It was great to meet him – hearing his story was like reliving a great piece of the station's history,’ said Shoreham Lifeboat Operations Manager Keith Phelps.