A COMMUNITY initiative set up in memory of a young West Somerset man has raised more than £25,000 for the charity dedicated to the disease which claimed his life.

Cystic fibrosis sufferer Tom Woollam died in 2007, aged just 28.

Two years later his parents, retired teachers Melanie and Alan Woollam, who live in Watchet, launched the Harbour Community Bookshop in the town.

Run by an army of volunteers, the aim of the shop was to raise funds which would be split equally between the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and local charities and good causes.

And more than £25,000 has been raised for the CF Trust alone since the shop opened its doors in April 2009.

The latest donation - £3,000 - was handed over this week, bringing the total raised for the charity between April and mid- August this year to £7,250.

An incredible 10,000 books have been sold in the last four months, which has allowed organisers to award grants to 12 local groups, including the Watchet Gym/Age Concern group who received money towards repairing a treadmill.

This week's presentation included a donation to the East Africa Appeal to help victims of the Somalia drought.

Regular customer Professor Eric Robinson asked if the bookshop could help the appeal but its grant policy precluded it from making a direct donation.

However, two committee members, Mavis Collinson and Darren Scott set up a separate stall outside the shop on the Esplanade during the recent Watchet Summertime celebrations and raised £60 for the cause.

Photo: Steve Guscott