A FUNDRAISER from York has set off on a 96-mile trek in memory of those who died in the 2006 Morecambe Bay helicopter crash.

Simon Mason, whose best friend’s father died alongside six others in the tragedy, has embarked on the challenge to raise funds for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), whose crews spent hours searching for survivors of the crash.

The walk, along the West Highland Way in Scotland, has been organised by Andy Potton, the son of the helicopter’s pilot, Steve Potton, who died as he flew to a gas platform.

Simon said: “Steve was my best friend’s father and his loss stays with us all. RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews continued to search for many hours after the helicopter crash and recovered Steve’s body back to his family, which was an enormous comfort.

“The RNLI is a charitable organisation which can only operate through the goodwill of others. It is difficult in the current economic climate to ask people to support us on the walk but those who do are really helping the RNLI to save the lives of others at sea, often in very challenging conditions.”

The group set off from just outside Glasgow on Sunday and are expected to arrive in Fort William by the end of Friday. To sponsor Simon, visit his online fundraising page at justgiving.com/spotton