A DECADE and several £100,000 later, Freddy Wedderburn from Sidford is giving up as fundraiser for Sidmouth Lifeboat.

Since January 1, 2001, after he was approached to help the independent lifeboat charity by the late Ray Colborne, Freddy has worked tirelessly with others to help raise the profile of the lifeboat and has helped raise more than £300,000 to buy a new lifeboat, tractor and trailer and more recently fund an extension at the seafront lifeboat station.

"I tendered my resignation three years ago and they said they would try to find a replacement," said Freddy, 85, who remains a trustee of Sidmouth Lifeboat.

"After a year they said they couldn't find anyone. Now I have decided to retire to concentrate on getting on with the footbridge project at Connaught Gardens, with Brian Black, which is a project I would like to see through."

Freddy said when he joined the lifeboat team the station was "just a shed that was not open to the public, except on the rare occasion."

Now it is manned by volunteers who show visitors the Pride of Sidmouth from a raised platform, and has a shop area as well.

"I have really enjoyed it and am sorry to give it up, but there is nothing else to try to raise money for. They are now where they should be - top line.