TRIBUTES have been paid to the “inspirational” president of a North-East branch of the Royal British Legion who has died aged 89 – four years after he completed a 100-mile swim to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War.

Alan Frankland, who lived in Redcar, had been president of the Redcar branch of the remembrance charity for around ten years and was known for his dedication and epic fundraising exploits.

During 2018, he raised around £2,000 for the Royal British Legion by swimming half a mile every weekday at Redcar Leisure Centre and covering 100 miles. He only took a short break when he suffered from a kidney infection.

He followed that by climbing Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales, and taking a poppy tin with him so he could collect donations on the way.

Eric Howden, chairman of the Redcar branch, led the tributes, saying: “He was an inspiration to all the members and an absolute gentleman.

“He was willing to help with everything and anything, committing himself fully to the Redcar branch. His fundraising efforts were legendary, and he will be missed by very many people.”

Alan, who was born in Dormanstown, would regularly accompany Eric on visits to local schools and cadet units, teaching children about the importance of remembrance.

He was honoured with a special recognition award at The Northern Echo’s Local Heroes ceremony in 2018, when he was given a surprise guard of honour and standing ovation for his remarkable efforts.

In the same year, on the 90th anniversary of the Great Pilgrimage, he laid a wreath at the Menin Gate memorial, at Ypres, on behalf of the Redcar branch of the Royal British Legion.

Alan was married to his late wife, Allison, for 60 years and they had five children, Barbara, Derek, Christopher, Graham and Neil. He was also a grandfather and great-grandfather.

Barbara said: “We were all so proud of what he achieved. He just got up and did things for others – he was still putting the bins out for his neighbours into his eighties – and he was so devoted to the Royal British Legion. He was a remarkable and lovely man.”

He did a variety of jobs, including being a retained fireman, factory worker, postman and, most recently, a gardener.

His funeral will take place at 2pm on November 29 at Kirkleatham Crematorium. He will, of course, be given a guard of honour by members of the Royal British Legion’s Redcar branch, and a collection will be split between the Royal British Legion and Macmillan Cancer Support.