Former Lord Mayor Peter Abraham and his wife Pearl have handed over £1,000 to the Avon and Somerset Search and Rescue charity in memory of their 29-year-old son Nick who died in a road accident on the Portway.

The money was donated by the many friends and relatives who attended Nick's funeral in January.

Councillor Abraham said: "This is what Nick would have wanted.

"Climbing was his life. He climbed 24/seven. My wife and I used to worry when he went climbing – it's always in the back of your mind.

"He was really good at all sports but once he got the climbing bug it took over from tennis and football."

The money will help the 50 volunteers who make up Avon and Somerset Search and Rescue and who give up their time to help find missing people and rescue those stuck on cliffs or stranded in floods.

The police and Avon Fire and Rescue often call on the group for help and their expertise has helped save many lives.

Chief rescue officer Duncan Massey, 50, who has been a volunteer for 32 years, said: "We rely totally on donations and we are very grateful for this latest gift which will be put to good use."

Running costs, including insurance and replacing equipment, amount to £15,000 a year.