A LOCAL serviceman has raised more than £15,000 for charities in the past 12 months.

Horrabridge resident Andrew ‘Tiny’ Collins, a Royal Navy senior non-commissioned officer — known locally as the man who restored the village war memorial last year in time for the First World War centenary — has been busy raising the funds by holding a number of charity raffles and auctions.

He wants to highlight the good works of local charities but also to encourage others that it is possible to raise money for charities if they ‘put their mind to it’.

Last month he presented a cheque to the admiralty governor brigadier Mike Ellis of the Royal Naval Benevolent Trust for £2,242.00.

‘In the past 12 months I have raised over £15,000 for charities, which has included fundraising for the Royal Marines Charity, Help for Heroes and also supporting “The Rowing Marine” Lee Spencer by selling a bespoke range of personalised port presentation boxes,’ he said.

‘As a Royal Navy SNCO currently based at 42 Commando Royal Marines Barracks I am always looking for ways to support different charities by fundraising on their behalf.

‘I have been busy raising money for charities because I see it as a great way to help assist those organisations doing a great job and I hope that I can inspire others to do the same.

‘When I am not busy raising money for Armed Forces charities my wife and I assist the PTFA of Horrabridge Primary and Nursery School.

‘On Friday, September 20 we are organising an event which we hope will help raise thousands for the school.

‘As part of this we will be holding a grand raffle on the night and would be very interested to hear from local companies who may be able to assist by donating a raffle prize.’

To help in the raffle, email Andrew on [email protected]