Hornsea man Michael Sherwood drowned during swim

A HORNSEA man who spent his life volunteering for charity drowned while swimming in the sea off Corfu.

Michael Sherwood, 79, worked at the Hornsea volunteer centre before it closed last year.

He spent more than ten years with the community group and raised at least £5,250 for the NSPCC with collection boxes around the town.

Beryl Kilby volunteered with Mr Sherwood for years.

She said: "I was so sorry to hear the news and I'm sure a lot of people will be.

"He was a great friend of ours and he thought a lot about the NSPCC and children's needs.

"He did everything he could to help, and did it very ably as well."

Mr Sherwood drowned on June 24 last year while swimming in the sea at Messonghi

Police were called to the beach at about 10.30am after his death was reported.

An inquest yesterday found his death was caused by drowning, probably after he suffered a heart attack.

Mr Sherwood was responsible for NSPCC collection boxes all around Hornsea, from small ones in bars and pubs to much larger ones shaped like animals.

Mrs Kilby said: "A lot of good people spent a lot of hours helping other people in that centre and Michael was one of them.

"He had knowledge of how money worked, with previous experience he had in his working life.

"He was a kind man, everybody liked him, and he will be sadly missed."

In 2002, Mr Sherwood was honoured by the group with a long service certificate for his ten years of work.

Mrs Kilby said: "He was with the volunteers right from the beginning. Ten years is a fairly good stint – he was really dedicated.

"He collected a lot for the NSPCC and he went to a lot of trouble to do it for as long as possible."

Mr Sherwood started his involvement with the children's charity in 1991, and became honorary collection box secretary.

The NSPCC runs centres around the country to care for children who are suffering from abuse.

Money raised by Mr Sherwood went towards the charity's Hull centre, which helps to improve relationships between mothers and children where there has been family violence.

It also supports children living with drug abusers.

At the inquest into Mr Sherwood's death, Coroner Geoffrey Saul heard police reports into the cause of the accident.

Mr Saul said: "He got into difficulties while he was swimming and passed away.

"The cause of death given in Greece was drowning but a further post-mortem took place in this country after he was returned."

The British post-mortem showed evidence of heart disease.

Recording a narrative verdict, Mr Saul said: "On June 24, Mr Sherwood died after probably suffering a heart attack while swimming in the sea."

He said he would also like to offer his condolences to Mr Sherwood's family.