A FUNDRAISING event has been held in memory of a North-East man who died when the plane he was co-piloting crashed in thick fog.

The event in memory of Andrew Cantle held at Sunderland Yacht Club raised £1,116 for volunteers based at Sunderland’s Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) Station.

Mr Cantle, 27, who lived in Rawcliffe, York, with partner, Beth Webster, was tragically killed on February 10 2011 when the Manx2.com commuter plane he was co-piloting crashed at Cork Airport in thick fog.

Mr Cantle became involved with Sunderland RNLI Lifeboat station in 2000 when he decided to serve with the charity as part of the Community Service element of the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

After completing the award in 2001 he decided to stay with the charity and serve as volunteer lifeboat crew where he served until 2008, when he moved to York to take up his career as an airline pilot.

During this time he took part in 65 emergency missions which resulted in the rescue of 66 people.

The event at the weekend sold out in advance and was attended by 120 guests, including past and present RNLI volunteers who served with Mr Cantle, along with family members.

It was announced at the event that the Forever by the Sea memorial fund set up in his memory would be used to fund the next operational D Class inshore lifeboat to be stationed at Sunderland.

Sunderland RNLI senior helmsman Paul Nicholson said: “The naming of our next D Class inshore lifeboat in memory of Andy will be the ultimate tribute to him and the life that he lead serving his local community.

“The target aim of the fund is to raise the required £40,000 over the next eight to 10 years.”