A Tree For Stuart

The response to the sad news of the death of OUTDOORSmagic member Stuart Banner while scrambling in the Lake District the weekend before last has been overwhelming and a number of members felt that they'd like to do something to help perpetuate his memory.

As a result and with the consent of Stuart's family, it's been decided to plant a tree or trees in his memory at a wood run by the Woodland Trust in the Lake District. Jeannie Conley, who is coordinating the appeal, writes:

"The Woodland Trust can arrange to plant natural species and it is possible to choose an area. They have a site in Cumbria called Fellside. These Woodland Trust woods are enchanting places; you can feel the warm breeze flow past you and through the trees and feel all the love and friendship that is planted in every tree."

So far around £100 has been raised with more pledged, which will pay for ten trees and leave another £50 to go towards a memorial bench for Stuart.

The money collected with also be Gift Aided, so the government will add 28 per-cent to the total raised.

If you'd like to contribute, drop an e-mail to Jeannie and she'll send you the details of how to make a donation. Bear in mind that she's on holiday for a week or so, so the reply won't be immediate.

Everyone here at OUTDOORSmagic is very touched by the response to Stuart's death and by the fortitude of his family and in particular his daughter, Sarah, who's at an incredibly difficult time for her and her family, still took the time to make several moving posts on the OM forum.