Mark joined the crew at Rye Harbour RNLI Lifeboat Station on 16 March 2006, whilst in remission from non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, becoming an enthusiastic team member. Unfortunately the disease returned in early 2007.

During Mark's service at Rye Harbour, the station lifeboats launched 37 times rescuing 34 people.

To show their support, the crew had their heads shaved at the annual BBQ raising over £2000 for Professor Cunningham's Research Fund at the Royal Marsden Hospital.

Mark said, at the time,: 'I was bald following a round of high-dose chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant, so we all matched. It was very funny and a great show of support. We all had a fantastic day and I'm so grateful to them all."

Mark later appeared on GMTV to talk about living with cancer, alongside Holby City's Tom Chambers whose character was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.

Richard Tollett, RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager at Rye Harbour said: "Mark was a valuable team member, giving 100 percent all the time. His enthusiasm, commitment and positive approach was infectious; carrying him and the crew through many difficult times.

"Mark will be sadly missed as he was part of the lifeboat family here at Rye Harbour, once we get through the sad times we will all have our really happy memories.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Sharon, Mark's childhood sweetheart and wife of over 16 years, who is also a crew member here at Rye Harbour."

Mark's funeral takes place at 11am on Monday at Wittersham Church.
Donations can be made to Rye Harbour Lifeboat or to Professor Cunningham's Fund at the Royal Marsden Hospital.