The fund will help commemorate the life of Michael Machell
The family and friends of a former mountain rescue team member who died in a climbing accident earlier this year have donated £10,000 to a fund to commemorate his life.
Mic Machell spent three years with the Langdale Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team.
The 23-year-old fell to his death in January this year while climbing in the USA.
The money is being donated to the Cumbria Community Foundation and is being added to the Dora Beeforth Memorial Fund.
Nick Owens, leader of the Langdale and Ambleside team said: “Michael ‘Mic’ Machell loved the hills and mountains. He lived for them.
“He walked, ran, climbed and biked, and although a little averse to water, didn’t mind getting wet occasionally as well.
“His greatest passion was getting out in the hills and sharing that pleasure with others.
“Hailing from Bury, Lancashire, Mic studied for, and gained a first-class honours degree in professional outdoor practice at the University of Cumbria, living in Ambleside.
“He climbed in England, Scotland, Poland, the Alps and USA. Sadly, he died in an accident on 14 January, while setting up belays for ice-climbing in the USA, only 23 years old.
“His commitment extended to three years’ service with Langdale Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team, during which he attended approximately 170 rescues.”
The mountain rescue team decided it wanted the money to be used to support young people developing a career or gaining experience in the outdoors, something which is possible through the Dora Beeforth Memorial Fund at the Community Foundation.
Mr Owen added: “Dora and Mic shared a love of the hills and although they never met, they had the same personal motto: ‘Carpe Diem’.
“We hope that young people will benefit greatly from this donation.”
Andrew Beeforth, director of the Community Foundation said: “We’re glad that we can help Mic’s family and friends commemorate his life.
“The donation is being put to one of our permanent funds and young people benefiting from the fund will learn a little about Mic and his life.”
Ms Beeforth was born in Cumbria and went to the Lakes School in Windermere. She enjoyed the outdoors, was a volunteer warden with the Lake District national park and a volunteer with Cumbria Youth Theatre. She was also a keen runner and orienteer. She died aged 42 after a prolonged illness.
The Dora Beeforth Memorial Fund was established in 2006 following her death.
The fund supports young people with the cost of participation in sport or foreign travel. Anyone wanting to apply to the fund should visit the foundation’s website or contact Jane Allen at Cumbria Community Foundation 01900 825760.
