NEARLY £6,000 has been raised for a marine rescue charity in memory of a Dunfermline teenager.

Woodmill High pupil Joseph Willcocks died in November at the age of 17 after a tragic accident on a Dunfermline railway.

After his death, his family paid tribute to their “wonderful, funny, and thoughtful” boy while Woodmill High rector Sandy McIntosh said the popular teenager would be "painfully missed" by his friends and teachers alike.

After a massive £1,600 of donations was collected at his funeral, a further £4,000 has been raised through an online fundraising page in his honour which will go to the British Divers Marine Life Rescue – Fife and Stirlingshire (BDMLR).

A statement from his family explained: "As seals were his favourite animal, he would be extremely happy that a volunteer group like this would be helped out and our local seals, and all other marine life, would be given our help to survive.

"At Joseph's well-attended funeral, a massive £1,600 was raised and now with the added Just Giving page that’s been set up in his honour, we have raised nearly £6,000 with further fundraising events being planned.

"This is a huge amount for this valuable and purely volunteer group and will go a long way towards further training and valuable equipment for any future rescues.

"Some of the additional equipment to be attained will even be made out in Joseph's memory which is very touching for our family.

"Our family and members of the BDMLR would like to say a massive thank you to all those that have donated so far as it is a staggering amount that will go a long way, and has also helped our family somewhat in what is a very difficult time."

The BDMLR have been involved in several rescues in West Fife in recent months including the stranding of a Sei Whale at North Queensferry and a dolphin and its baby at Crombie.

Area co-ordinator for BDMLR Fife and Stirling, Paul Smith, said they were "humbled" by the courage and kindness shown by the Willcocks family.

"The generosity of everyone supporting the fundraiser for much-needed specialist rescue kit to help marine mammals around the Fife coast is amazing," he said.

“After speaking with Mandy and Martin, I know Joseph loved seals. From what was an absolute tragedy with the sad loss of Joseph, we are grateful for the amazing strength and fortitude and also the selfless support the family are showing the team.

"We are extremely proud to carry on Joseph's name within our local team and rescue work and will help support the family.

"I thank the family for their bravery during this difficult time and they are very welcome within our team and hopefully will be training to rescue seals, dolphins and whales next year as part of the response team."

Anyone wanting to donate can do so by visiting https://www.justgiving.com and search for Joseph Willcocks.