THE friend of a climber who was killed in the Glencoe Avalanche last weekend will be taking part in a mountain bike race in his memory.
Christopher Bell, a PhD student, was one of four climbers killed in the tragedy in Glencoe last weekend – and now his friend, Luke Bradley, wants to honour his memory.
Luke, of Holmfirth, will compete in the Strathpuffer 24-hour mountain bike race this weekend with his friends Oliver Young, Huw Oliver and Pete Devlin, to raise money for Glencoe Mountain Rescue.
The bike race involves a 200 mile ride over several inches of ice and snow through a night that has 17 hours of darkness
Luke was friends with Christopher Bell through university and had also competed alongside him in mountain biking – teaming up with him on a number of occasions.
Luke described Christopher, who came from Blackpool, as a great friend and a keen bike racer.
He said: “Chris was the very best of men – a kind, fun and enthusiastic man who made a lasting impression on all those he met.
“I met him at university at St Andrew’s six years ago when he was studying maths.
“I heard the news on Sunday from one of his friends in Scotland and I was already entered in this weekend’s race by that point.”
Luke decided to make use of the race and raise money for the Glencoe Mountain Rescue team.
“If anything Christopher’s death has psyched me up for the race,” he said. “I will try to keep my emotions under control and do well in the race because we don’t want to let anyone down.
“The support has been amazing and Christopher’s family have said it is overwhelming.”
Fundraising for the race has realised over £11,000 in only three days.
Luke and his team have an aim of raising enough money so the mountain rescue team can buy a new Land Rover.
PhD student Tom Chesters, 28, and doctors Una Finnegan, 25 and Rachel Majumdar, 29, were also swept to their deaths in the avalanche.
To donate visit www.justgiving.com/Luke-Bradley .
