A LIFEBOAT set to become a lasting tribute to a Williton student went into service in the North Devon village of Clovelly this week. The Atlantic 85 class vessel was built in memory of Toby Rundle, who died in 2009 aged just 21. Toby, the only son of West Somerset journalists Chris and Debbie Rundle, had been about to start his third and final year at Oxford University, where he was studying for a degree in English and classics. Four years ago, his family and friends started a fundraising campaign which brought in more than £174,000 towards the cost of the boat which now bears his name. Sponsored walks, a jazz ball and an auction were among the events held to raise the money, along with generous donations from supporters. The Toby Rundle arrived by sea from Padstow last weekend, while its launching carriage had to be delivered by landing craft because of the restricted land access to Clovelly's beach. Mr Rundle, the RNLI's press officer in Minehead, and Toby's sister Philippa were there to see its arrival. And he said it was an amazing, though emotional experience to see the completion of a fundraising journey which had started almost exactly four years ago. "What was even more impressive was the undoubted enthusiasm of the crew for the new arrival." Clovelly's crew underwent specialist training at the RNLI College in Poole and after further intensive familiarisation trials the new boat - which replaces the smaller Atlantic 75 class Spirit of Clovelly - officially entered service on Tuesday. "Given the Clovelly station's exemplary record of taking care of its lifeboats, we know the Toby Rundle is now in very safe hands and we look forward to hearing how our boat maintains the community's long and illustrious tradition of saving lives at sea," said Mr Rundle. The boat will be officially named at a service of dedication in Clovelly on July 5.