Sidmouth Lifeboat has paid its respects to a lifelong supporter who was ‘instrumental’ in revolutionising its finances.

The charity provided a guard of honour in memory of Philip Churchill at his funeral.

Philip joined the lifeboat’s board of trustees as company secretary in 2003, at a time when the charity’s finances were at a ‘pretty low ebb’.

The businessman used his expertise and ‘considerable charm’ to steer the finances and raise funds to refurbish the boathouse, purchase and commission a new lifeboat and install a launch tractor.

John Fowler, chairman of the trustees, said; “Philip was a man to whom the lifeboat owed a great deal, but was also held in great affection by all who knew him.”

Philip was a member of the board of trustees for 11 years, hosting meetings at his house.

Ian Fletcher, from the lifeboat, said: “By the time he retired, through ill-health, Sidmouth lifeboat was on a sound financial footing, able to pay for it’s annual outgoing expenses, and putting away regular sums into investments.”