A FUNDRAISING campaign in memory of an Exminster man has smashed its target to buy a bench.

Kieran Channing, known as Alec, 18, suffered from mental health issues and died in January.

The Just Giving campaign to fund a ‘talking bench’ set a target of £500 but donations have already exceeded £3,000.

The bench will be placed in Exminster where he grew up and was well known for people to go, think, talk and remember him.

Extra money raised will go towards creating ‘Kieran’s Legacy’.

Family friend Justine Bettinson set up the campaign.

She said: ‘Kieran was a real live wire and so full of mischief.

‘If there was a tree to be climbed or a river to be crossed, he was there.

‘Fear wasn’t in his vocabulary.

‘He was funny, quirky, cheeky and mischievious.

‘We want people to remember Kieran and create a legacy to help others so that something good can come out of such a tragic situation.

‘His death has rocked hundreds of people.’

With the family’s blessing, Justine set up the page to fund the bench with other money being used to set up a support group for parents and young people with mental health issues.