THE FAMILY of young sportsman Paul Murray, tragically killed in a road traffic accident two days after his 21st birthday, have handed over a gift of £3,500 to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution in his memory.

Donations were received following Paul’s funeral at St Bartholomew’s Church, Wilmslow, in January.

His younger brother Robert Murray, a student at Durham University and father Michael Murray, met the coxswain and crew of Porthdinllaen Lifeboat Station in North Wales where Paul, a keen sailor, and his family spent many happy holidays.

The money will be used to help fund a new lifeboat.

Paul was a former pupil at Wilmslow High and Gorsey Bank Primary schools and an all round sportsman who was known throughout the Wilmslow sporting community.

He had captained Lindow Junior Cricket under 11, 13 and 15 sides and played for Cheshire. He also played rugby for many years at junior level for Wilmslow Wolves and football for Wilmslow Juniors.

A keen sailor, he was a qualified skipper and competed in the North Sea Yacht Race to Norway. He also loved his BMX bike.

His father Michael Murray said: "Following the funeral service we asked for donations to the RNLI in Paul’s memory.  In all some £3,500 was collected which was tremendous. The money was passed through to the lifeboat station at Porthdinllaen in North Wales and we were invited to meet Mike Davies, the coxswain of Porthdinllaen lifeboat.  Mike was delighted to meet us and to receive the donation which will be put towards their fund for a replacement boat.  Paul had been a very keen sailor and had first learned a lot of his sailing in North Wales."

He added that the family were still all trying to come to terms with their loss.

"It has been a very difficult time for us but the support we have received from all around us has been overwhelming and of great comfort.  We are so pleased with all the generous donations received and know that Paul would have been very proud of the money passed over in his memory to the life boat station at Porthdinllaen.  This is where he first learnt to sail and the family used to holiday when he was younger. We would like to thank everybody for their very kind and generous donations."

Paul, 21 of Holly Road South, died along with the driver of a car which crashed on the Shawbury to High Ercall Road near Telford. Paul had been living with his girlfriend and her family in Hanmer near Whitchurch after returning form a gap year travelling the world.