I’ve lived in Exmouth for 26 years now - not quite a local but getting there. Despite not having been born here, one thing I’ve noticed is how beautifully connected we all are, like one big family. There are very few people I’ve come across in the last few years with whom I don’t have a mutual friend, acquaintance or something else that links us to each other. It’s one of the things I like most about the Exmouth having grown up in a much larger suburban town where everyone keeps to their own little circle.

One of the strongest links I’ve made of recent years is through Exmouth Rugby club where despite being a junior section of over 300 children and young people, it is essentially one big rugby family. It’s through this rugby family that I know of junior member Charlie Duignan who was diagnosed with a Stage 4 brain tumour in 2022 and sadly passed away despite a period in remission, in January of this year. Charlie was a fantastic, active little lad who loved his sports - rugby of course, but also football and cricket. And when he wasn’t on a pitch, you could find him on the beach choosing to spend time litter picking as well as playing, to look after our lovely coastline.

When his parents lost Charlie at the age of only eight years old, they and his two brothers Rian and Jack decided to do something big to keep his memory alive that would also give something back to the community. Out of this tragedy, Charlie’s Beach School was born. The beach school aims primarily to help children - both local and visiting - by giving them access to the beach and seaside in a positive, fun and informative way. Their vision is to get as many children interested in visiting the beach as possible, particularly those children who have not been given that opportunity before. It will be an educational hub as well as a focus for locals and holidaymakers to learn something about our coastline.

Currently finalising premises for this ambitious project, The Charlie Duignan Foundation have been lucky enough to be selected for Tesco’s current Community Grants scheme. Next time you’re in any of the local Tescos (Exmouth and Budleigh) , you can support this start-up charity by dropping your blue token in their box to help their donation pot grow. Also, if you fancy needing a reason to do something mad like a sky-dive or even something less mad like a sponsored silence, the Foundation would love to hear from you. All their details can be found on the website www.charliesbeachschool.co.uk.

The family plan to have a launch date later this year once their premises is up and running and I know the Exmouth Rugby family are hoping to set up something in Charlie’s memory. However, this is also one of those times when everyone in the wider Exmouth community can really do something special by supporting the Duignans - be that blue token, donation or sponsored event. I think Charlie would have loved it.