KIND-hearted people wanting to honour the life of a former Topsham police community support officer have raised more than �1,800 for a memorial bench. Mark Marshall, a PCSO and Territorial Army solider, was killed last February in an explosion while out o

KIND-hearted people wanting to honour the life of a former Topsham police community support officer have raised more than �1,800 for a memorial bench.

Mark Marshall, a PCSO and Territorial Army solider, was killed last February in an explosion while out on patrol in Afghanistan.

A memorial plaque to remember Mark was unveiled in Countess Wear last month and plans are now in place for a bench and an outdoors club in his memory.

The 29-year-old, who was born in Exeter, leaves his mother Lynn, brother and sister, Alex and Jo, and girlfriend, Hayley.

Percy Giles, Topsham's current PCSO, worked closely with Rifleman Marshall.

Mr Giles said: "We both did a lot of youth work with the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, and often linked up with the Countess Wear Youth Club.

"Mark was the first guy I went camping with for the award scheme. I was never a fan of the outdoors before I met him but I really enjoyed it as it happened.

"I feel there's a need for something for kids who don't necessarily have the backing of their parents to help them do such things, so I came up with the idea of setting up an outdoor club.

"I'm sure Mark would have liked the theory. He inspired me to work with young people and I want to carry that on."

It is hoped the memorial bench will be installed at the King George V playing fields.

To donate money for the bench, send a cheque payable to Countess Wear Village Hall, in an envelope marked Mark Marshall Fund, c/o 62 Exe Vale Road, Exeter, EX2 6LF.