A sailor and much loved member of the lifeboat community has left thousands of pounds to the RNLI.

David Holden, of High Street, Queenborough, died from leukaemia in August last year.

The 63-year-old was the lifeboat sea safety officer for Sheerness for six years and a well respected member of the organisation.

Following his wishes, his ashes were scattered at sea after a service aboard the Sheerness lifeboat in October last year.

In his will, he left £50,000 to the RNLI.

The chartered engineer, who was a member of Queenborough Yacht Club, chairman of the Queenborough Society and an honorary member of Queenborough Rowing Club, had been involved with the sea for most of his life.

His brother Laurie said: “During Dave’s illness, the support and help from local sea safety team members made a big difference.

“The sympathetic attitude and professionalism was very much appreciated throughout that period and later on.

“Our final farewell to Dave from the lifeboat at the Anchorage of the Great Nore, as per his wishes, was a wonderful, magical occasion.

“It was the best send-off that we could have given him.

“The crew members of the Sheerness lifeboat were helpful, patient, and quite outstanding in every way.”

Lifeboat operations manager at Sheerness Colin Washford said he and the crew have been overwhelmed by Mr Holden’s kind gesture.

He said: “David was part of the RNLI family, that’s for sure.

“It was very upsetting when he passed away as he had made a big difference to many people and had been a fantastic advocate for sea safety.

“His gift to the RNLI is a phenomenal amount and we are touched that he decided to remember the lifeboats in this way.”

The charity’s legacies manager, Mark Allwood, said the RNLI relies on voluntary contributions and donations such as Mr Holden’s make a huge difference.