THE Fisherman’s Rest in Aveton Gifford has raised more than £21,000 for the Tall Ships Youth Trust in memory of Tomas Capewell.

The pub started raising money for the charity in 2011, starting with a bike ride with Birds on Bikes, namely Philippa Stainton, Clarie Wotton and Sarah Pearson, who rode from Portsmouth to Aveton Gifford, followed by a family fun day, and they have raised £21,310 to date.

Libby Hutchison, who has worked at The Fisherman’s Rest for the last eleven years, said: ‘The fun day has gone from strength to strength each year and is excellently supported by local businesses and local people alike.

‘We would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who helps and supports it, we couldn’t do it with out them all.’

Fundraising started following the death of the owners’ son Tomas ‘TJ’ Capewell, at the age of 17 in a car accident on Aveton Gifford hill on July 5, 2009. A keen sailor who was looking forward to making it his occupation, the Tall Ships Trust was a natural charity to support in TJ’s memory.

The Tall Ships Trust is a sail training charity, dedicated to the personal development of young people aged between 12 to 25, through the crewing of ocean-going sail training vessels.

Over 100,000 trainees have sailed 1.8 million nautical miles on their fleet over the last 60 years. As a youth charity, they provide bursaries and funding to help young people get on board and realise their full potential.

For more information on the Tall Ships Trust, visit: tallships.org and for more on The Fisherman’s Rest, visit: www.thefishermansrest.co.uk.