PROPERTY solicitor Christopher (Kit) Davies, a stalwart supporter of Whitstable Lifeboat Station, has died suddenly at the age of 56.

Mr Davies was the oldest son of Greta and Dr Dan Davies, the first Whitstable Lifeboat doctor.

Following Dr Davies’ death in 1977, the station set up a seamanship and first aid competition in his memory, and every year Mr Davies travelled from his home in Surbiton to Whitstable to present the award.

Honorary medical advisor Dr Terry Stefani said: “Kit, with Fiona his wife, has been uniquely supportive of this association.

“Following the death of his parents, he has annually made the journey, regardless of the weather, and never missed what he often described as his annual pilgrimage.

“Born and raised in Whitstable and embracing our marine environment, he was an enthusiastic, albeit not particularly accomplished, sailor.”

Mr Davies attended the Whitstable and Seasalter Endowed junior school, before being sent to boarding school, and then attending university.

He retained enormous and affectionate ties with his home town of Whitstable, however, visiting frequently and keeping in touch with many old friends.

Dr Stefani added: “Whitstable, and especially the lifeboat service, were always held dear to his heart and it therefore will come as no surprise that all donations will be for the Whitstable branch of the RNLI.”

His funeral takes place tomorrow (Friday) at St Nicolas Church in Cranleigh, East Sussex, at 1.15 pm.