A MEMORIAL fund named after a Hampshire record-breaker has sailed to the rescue of Sea Scouts who needed new changing rooms.

Charles Burnett III, one of five people who died in a helicopter crash in New Mexico in 2018, was based in Texas but rented a country mansion near Lymington.

Mr Burnett, 61, entered the record books in 2009 after his attempt to set a new world record for the fastest steam-powered car ended in triumph.

He achieved a speed of 148.308mph at Edwards Air Force Base in California, easily beating the previous record set by Fred Marriott in his Stanley Steamer in 1906.

Now the fund that bears his name has donated £15,000 to Hythe Sea Scouts, enabling the group to install new changing rooms.

Assistant Scout Leader Scott Biddlecombe said: "Our old facilities were very tired.

"They were rotting away 19 years ago when I joined as a Scout and recently became completely unusable. The new rooms will benefit many children for years to come.”

Group Chairman Chris Bench added: "This donation, at a time when our fundraising activities have had to stop for 18 months due to the global pandemic, is a massive boost to the group and our local community.

"We pride ourselves on offering amazing opportunities to local young people and this helps us to continue doing so into the future.

"I would like to thank the Charles Burnett Memorial Fund for this amazing donation and also the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF), which administers the fund."

Earlier this year the fund gave Solent Rescue a £17,000 grant, helping the Lepe-based charity to upgrade its Arctic 24 inshore lifeboat and acquire a new launch trailer.

A HIWCF spokesperson said: "We know the Covid-19 crisis has impacted hugely on the charitable sector, and these grants will make a big difference to local organisations and the people they support.”

Mr Burnett had close links with the Beaulieu Estate, home of the National Motor Museum.

Speaking in 2018 Lord Montagu said: "Charles will be remembered for his great generosity to charities and individuals, mischievous sense of fun and love of fast vehicles."

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