THE father of an ‘adrenaline junkie’ who passed away two years ago this week is fundraising so others can fulfil their dreams in his son’s name.

Tom Dunkley, from Forest Hill, near Wheatley, died in a swimming accident off the Caribbean Island of Martinique in August 2008.

The former Wheatley Park student had been indulging his love of the sea with friends while studying the reef as part of a degree in Marine Conservation at Bangor University.

Tom had been swimming off the coast of the island when a friend realised he had not resurfaced.

After 10 minutes of frantic searching, the 28-year-old was pulled from the water but medics were unable to revive him.

Bangor University awarded Tom a posthumous degree and the research he was undertaking has now been published and is studied across the world.

His father Robin, 63, has set up a memorial fund at the university so others with a passion for coral reef ecology and conservation can carry out their own research in Tom’s name.

Mr Dunkley said his son was a keen athlete, representing Oxfordshire as a 400 metre and 800 metre runner, an experienced climber, horse rider, and an enthusiastic skier.

He added: “Tom was an adrenaline junkie. He did everything with great enthusiasm.

“He’s the only person I know who was told he couldn’t do anymore bungee jumps. He did something like seven in a day and was told he couldn’t come back anymore.

“He was the kind of person who if you met, you’d never forget.

“Six feet four, blonde hair, blue eyes, and a wonderful smile.

“Let’s just say he wasn’t short of company.

“You knew when you were out with Tom you’d have a good time.

“You’d get into a few scrapes, but you’d have great fun along the way. To be honest the world’s a duller place without him.”

Mr Dunkley and wife Sally, Tom’s stepmother, are hosting a fundraising clay pigeon shoot this weekend for the Tom Dunkley Memorial fund.

It is the third time the shoot has been held and previous beneficiaries of the money have gone on to set up an environmentally friendly fish farm and a sustainable fishing programme.

They are hoping to beat last year’s total of £1,000.

Mr Dunkley said: “Tom was so passionate about what he did.

“In fact he could bang on a bit, but only because he believed in it so much.

“But it isn’t a coincidence he ended up carrying out his research on a beautiful Caribbean island. Tom wasn’t stupid!

“We want others to have the chance that my son had and we know he would approve of the programmes the money goes on to fund.”

The shoot will be held on land close to the Crazy Bear, at Stadhampton near Wallingford, on Sunday, and all are welcome.

To take part, call 01869 354949 or 07899905851.