Family raises thousands in memory of daughter

Summer Robertson died, aged 21, while doing volunteer work in South Africa

A family has raised nearly £50,000 in memory of their daughter who died while volunteering in South Africa 11 years ago.

Summer Robertson was 21 when she and 19-year-old Alice Barnett both died after being dragged out to sea by fierce currents, while paddling in Woody Cape.

Her mum, Sarah, originally aimed to raise £5,000 to name a guide dog after Summer, from Shrewsbury, but when they raised more than anticipated, the family continued fundraising for Guide Dogs, with two dogs now named after her.

"We thought, we're still suffering, it's a way of focusing on something positive - so we just carried on," Mrs Robertson said.

Ms Robertson was described as "a proper tomboy" by her mum.

"There was absolutely nothing girly about her whatsoever," she said.

"A bundle of fun, the first one up to dance, the first one to crack a joke."

• Summer Robertson and Alice Barnett 'swept away by currents'

• 'Inspirational' daughter remembered after drowning

• Charity volunteers drown in South Africa

Mrs Robertson said her daughter had come home one day in 2014 and declared she needed 10 weeks off work to volunteer in South Africa.

Summer was described as "a bundle of fun" who was always the first to crack a joke

Ms Robertson went to South Africa with a charity that provides support and information for young people about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

She and Ms Barnett had gone to the beach with friends in the Woody Cape area, about 100km east of Port Elizabeth, just days before they were due to return to the UK.

Mrs Robertson recalled when they were first made aware of what had happened.

"Police called round on the Thursday evening beforehand, to say five people have been swept out to sea, three people came back alive and Summer was one of two who didn't," she said.

"It was a case of get on with it or sit in the corner and rock."

At her daughter's funeral, they decided the collection money would go towards guide dogs.

"Summer was such a light in our life, and we just wanted to bring a light into other peoples lives," she said.

Two guide dogs have been named after Summer since her death

The first of the two guide dogs named after her daughter has already given years of service.

"It was nine years ago that we first got the money together, the original Summer was due for retirement now," she said.

"A few years later, we named another two guide dogs, another Summer and Alice."

The family hope to reach £50,000 by the end of 2025, and at a race night on 15 November will mark 10 years of fundraising.