A pensioner climbed almost 1,000 feet up a hill in the rain in memory of her granddaughter who died in a Valentine’s Day tragedy on Ben Nevis.
Mary Brown travelled to the “April Folly” in the Lake District – a special concert to raise funds for the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team who did so much to try and find Rachel Slater and Tim Newton, who were killed in an avalanche in February last year.
Mrs Brown attended the event from her home in Harrogate and thoroughly enjoyed the music by Robert Richmond, who played a grand piano under a gazebo at the top of Claife Heights, overlooking Lake Windermere.
She said: “It was wonderful music in the great outdoors. Rachel’s mother, who lives in Canada, would certainly approve. The Lochaber team have become like family to us.”
Mr Richmond’s son, Michael, also a climber, was friends with Ms Slater, 24, and Mr Newton, 27, and it was his idea to hold a fund-raising event in their memory.
The piano arrived by the Bowness rope ferry in torrential rain, but as the weather eased off the instrument was carried on its specially designed frame up to the viewing station by friends.
Members of the Coniston Mountain Rescue team helped move the additional sound and vision equipment needed to set up for the unusual event.
Mr Richmond, a classical pianist, performed in less than ideal conditions, but the rain did not dampen the spirits of the appreciative audience.
Organiser, Steve Spencer, said: “The day started out wet and we were all ‘drookit’. But the sun came out for the most of the afternoon and it was a truly special event.
“It was great that members of Rachel’s family came over from Harrogate. They said it was a lovely way to remember them in such beautiful surroundings and were particularly pleased that the event was supporting the work of mountain rescue.”
More than £2,000 has already been raised and donations can still be made by going to:
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/anaprilfolly
A spokesman for the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team said: “It was a great fund-raising effort by the friends of Rachel and Tim. Well done to everyone involved from us all.”
