A CHARITY set up in memory of a Weymouth schoolboy that enables youngsters to experience water sports has received a cash boost.

Portland Marina chose the Will Mackaness Trust and the Purbeck Isle Memorial Fund as the worthy causes to benefit from this year’s annual berth-holders party.

Representatives of the Dean & Reddyhoff marina at Osprey Quay presented a cheque for £1,310 to Pam Govier, the mother of Will Mackaness.

Will was 16 when he died from a brain tumour but his love of water sports lives on through the charity, which was set up in 2008 and has since enabled hundreds of children to experience activities like windsurfing, sailing and swimming.

The cheque was presented at Wey Valley School and Sports College where Will was head boy and where Ms Govier teaches.

Ms Govier, who looks after the day-to-day running of the trust, said: “I was delighted when Portland Marina contacted me and said they would like to support Will’s trust.

“Everybody talks about the legacy of the Olympics and this is a sure-fire way for the people of the borough to benefit.”

She added: “By building the trust, children not only get the funding but also the physical access to water sports.

“I’m so proud that something good has come out of Will’s death.

“He will never be forgotten, which really is fantastic.”

This year’s berth-holders’ party raised twice as much as usual when manager Russ Levett and assistant manager Paul Swain underwent a sponsored head shave.

Mr Levett said: “We hold an annual party for our berth-holders, whereby the berth-holders buy a ticket and all proceeds go to a local charity which the staff choose each year.

“This year we added in a sponsored head-shave which has enabled us to choose two charities.”

Another £1,310 will be presented to the Purbeck Isle Memorial Fund, set up to help the families of the three fishermen, after their boat went out from Weymouth on May 17 but never returned.

The fund was set up in the wake of the tragedy, by the Weymouth and Portland Licensed Fishermen’s and Boatmen’s Association.

The body of the skipper David McFarlane was discovered during a three-day rescue mission as was the wreck of the boat, and Jack Craig’s body, 21, was later recovered in August, but crewman Robert Prowse, 20, is still missing.

Mr Levett added: “We have followed the story and wished to help the families and hope this cheque will help in some small way.”