A SCHOOLBOY who regularly fundraises for Poole Lifeboat Station has been at it again - bringing his running total to almost £1,000.

Ben Gregory, aged 13, has just handed over his latest cheque after finishing a gruelling 100 length sponsored swim.

He met up with Poole's longest serving RNLI crewman, Jonathan Clark, at the town's old lifeboat station - now the site of the Poole Lifeboat Museum.

A Poole lifeboat spokesman explained: "Ben is a seasoned fundraiser for Poole Lifeboat Station. It began when he was seven years old raising £230 from a sponsored bike ride from Bournemouth Pier to Boscombe Pier.

"This was followed by another bike ride a year or so later and then a sponsored swim, which is what he did again in his recent challenge."

The Carter Community School pupil's latest individual effort raised £260 for the local RNLI volunteers.

"Ben trained hard and he was determined to raise money that will enable the volunteers at Poole lifeboat station to help save lives at sea.," added the spokesman.

This brings his fundraising total, so far, to £940.

After meeting up, Ben learned about Jonathan's father's role in the RNLI.

The spokesman said: "Jon explained that his dad had joined the crew in a specific role as an RNLI 'swimmer'. The swimmer would be deployed from the lifeboat to swim to the casualty and take ropes or a line and be the first on scene."

Johnathan's dad would eventually serve as the lifeboat's 2nd Coxswain.

Ben wants to continue with his swimming and is thinking of becoming a lifeguard.