TRAGIC teenager Dean Bloomfield has been honoured by the Ipswich Sea Cadet Unit. More than two years after Dean and his friend Scott Towler were run down by a drug-driver in Fore Hamlet, the cadets have named a new safety boat in his memory.

TRAGIC teenager Dean Bloomfield has been honoured by the Ipswich Sea Cadet Unit.

More than two years after Dean and his friend Scott Towler were run down by a drug-driver in Fore Hamlet, the cadets have named a new safety boat in his memory.

The Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB), named The Dean Bloomfield, was blessed in a moving ceremony on Saturday watched by Dean's family.

The money for the boat was donated by Dean's parents Dennis and Sharon Bloomfield from £3,700 raised by Evening Star readers.

Mr Bloomfield, of Burrell Road, said Dean and his older brother and sister had been sea cadets.

He added: “We are proud of the way the sea cadets have chosen to honour dean. This is a fitting legacy for a lad who loved being a cadet.

“We think the money that we have donated has gone to a good cause.”

The boat will be used by the sea cadets to support canoeing and sailing exercises in the River Orwell.

Ipswich Sea Cadets Unit chairman Geoff Prentice said: “We have been some time getting the boat we wanted but it will be fantastic for the sea cadets.”

Described as a “lovable rogue” and a “bright spark” by cadet's chaplain Rev Rick Tobin, Dean was remembered with fondness by Chief Petty Officer John Downie.

Mr Downie said: “Dean and his sister and brother were all cadets here. Staff who knew him remember him well. He was a lovely lad if a little cheeky.

“We have known his family a long time and we want to honour his memory in this way. Dean was into watersports and it seems fitting to name the boat after him.”

The RHIB The Dean Bloomfield will be stationed at the sea cadets HQ TS Orwell in Ipswich's wet dock.