More than £15,000 has been left to an RNLI station by a former merchant seaman.

Henry George Lawson, who died earlier this year at age 98, left specific instructions with his family for his money to be given in the form of a legacy to the Sheerness lifeboat.

A spokesman for the Island’s lifesaving charity, Vic Booth, said: “Henry worked as a merchant seaman from a very young age and stayed at sea until he married.

“He then worked locally until his retirement, but throughout all these years he never lost his love of the sea.”

Before his death, Henry asked his family for his money to go to the Royal National Life Boat Institution (RNLI) with the only proviso being that his legacy be publicised in the hope that it would encourage other people to make donations to their local lifeboat stations across the country.

The RNLI Is the largest charity that saves lives at sea around the coasts of the UK, the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man, as well as on some inland waterways.

Vic continued: “In respect of Henry’s wishes his fantastic legacy of £15,735.63 will be allocated by the RNLI to the Sheerness RNLI Lifeboat Station to cover the ever-mounting running costs of the Island’s very busy lifeboat station.

“Legacies like Henry’s are vital to keep the RNLI’s lifesaving work going.

“In fact, six out of 10 launches are only possible thanks to gifts in wills.”

Henry’s son, Paul visited the station and was welcomed onboard the Sheerness all-weather lifeboat to hand over a cheque to another man with a lifelong love of the sea and all things RNLI –Robin Castle MBE.

He retired three years ago after completing more than 40 years of service to the RNLI.

Now he not only acts as one of the crew's deputy launching authorities but is also the station treasurer.