Fundraisers are being planned in memory of popular former Lyme Regis student and local footballer Adam Bounds, as it approaches the first anniversary of his sudden death. 

The Lyme Regis and Axminster communities were left shocked when Adam died last May, aged 41, following a brain haemorrhage.

An inquest in December put his death down to a severe and rare reaction to the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

Adam grew up in Lyme Regis and attended The Woodroffe School in Lyme Regis, and he played football for Axminster and Uplyme.

Although he had moved to Bristol later in life, he remained a particularly popular character in the local area, often known as the "life and soul of the party", and had been visiting his family home in Axminster when he was suddenly taken ill.

As it approaches the first anniversary of Adam's death, friends are planning to remember him by raising funds for his favourite charity, the RNLI.

Adam's best friend Matt and four others will be cycling from Lyme Regis to Newquay lifeboat stations in aid of the RNLI

Matthew said: "Unfortunately in May 2021 my best friend Adam Bounds passed away suddenly.

"Adam loved life and was loved by so many people. We spent much of our childhood hanging out in Lyme Regis, especially at Lifeboat Week, where he made many friends and so many great memories.

"Another favourite place of ours was Newquay; a place where we used to head down to Run To The Sun weekend. A weekend of drinking, dancing, and climbing up lamp posts!

"Myself and four friends will be starting at Lyme Regis lifeboat station on Thursday, May 26 at 5am and cycling 131 miles to Newquay lifeboat station.

"There will be lots of blood, sweat and definitely tears, but definitely worth it. In memory of Adam I have decided to raise money for the RNLI lifeboat station in Lyme Regis."

The group were hoping to raise £1,000 for the RNLI but have already surpassed this total. You can sponsor them at  www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/matthew-payne-1

The event will be held at Axminster Football Club in Saturday, June 18, starting at 7pm, and will include a number of Michael Jackson songs – Adam's favourite artist – as well as other disco numbers.

Tickets for £5 are now available to book at www.ticketsource.co.uk/Michaeljackson

More than £1,700 has already been raised for the RNLI in memory of Adam, through donations made at his funeral and a charity football match during last year's Lifeboat Week.