EIGHT-YEAR-OLD lifeboat supporter Sebastian Roney got a special visit to his local RNLI station, after raising £67 for the charity with a homemade collection box.

Sebastian collected the money from classmates, friends and relatives and has now been recognised as Clacton lifeboat station’s youngest fundraiser.

A spokesman for the station said: “The crew were so impressed by what Sebastian had done they arranged a full station tour for him and his family.

“Sebastian’s interest in the RNLI lifeboats started when he was five and visited the Clacton lifeboat shop to buy postcards.

“From the shop he was able to see through the window into the lifeboat house and his interest in all things RNLI developed.

“Sebastian’s mother contacted the lifeboat station to say he had managed to fill his collection box to overflowing. She asked if she could arrange a time for him to come to Clacton to present the money.”

The youngster was taken aboard both the station’s D class and Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboats, got to try on crew member’s drysuit, helmet and lifejacket and watch both boats being launched.

Sebastian said: “I learned a load of interesting facts about each lifeboat and the work of their crews.

“It was really cool to see the lifeboats launch and see them speeding to the end of the pier.”