A WEYMOUTH supermarket has raised £850 for a memorial fund set up in the wake of a fishing tragedy.

Staff at Asda in Newstead Road put collection buckets on the tills and suspended all other fundraising over the summer to help raise money for the Purbeck Isle Memorial Fund.

The fund was set up after Weymouth fishing boat the Purbeck Isle went out to sea on May 17 and never returned.

During a three-day search involving Weymouth lifeboat and the Portland Coastguard helicopter, the body of skipper David McFarlane, 35, was recovered and the wreck of the vessel was discovered.

The body of crewman Jack Craig, 21, was recovered on August 9. Crewman Robert Prowse, 20, is still missing. The fund was set up to help the families of the three fishermen and was spearheaded by the Weymouth and Portland Licensed Fisherman’s and Boatman’s Association.

Staff at Asda handed over cash to fund organisers.

Andy Alcock from the fund said: “Thank you to the shoppers of Asda for their generosity.

“This money will go to helping the families of the three fishermen.”

Earlier this month it was revealed the fund has raised more than £44,000.

Asda community champion Sandy West said they were pleased with how much had been raised and said that shoppers had been very generous.

For more information on the fund visit purbeckislememorialfund.com Special service for Robert A special service of celebration for the life of missing fisherman Robert Prowse will be held at Holy Trinity Church on Weymouth harbourside at 12noon on October 24.

Mr Prowse would have celebrated his 21st birthday on that day.

Everyone is welcome.

Afterwards there will be a gathering at the Admiral Hardy pub on Chickerell Road.

Mr Prowse’s family have requested no flowers but a collection will be held that will be split equally between the Purbeck Isle Memorial Fund and the Weymouth lifeboat.