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Out of tragedy comes more tragedy – Gareth Crockett RIP
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14 April 2011
Ten days ago I posted this blog about two young men from Northern Ireland setting out on a remarkable challenge to raise money for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.
Jez Davison and Gareth Crockett had lost a close friend, John Erwin, to leukaemia and the Beldon Challenge was their way of trying to raise £10,000 in his memory, travelling from Belfast to London on bike and foot in just eight days, completing four marathons along the way, culminating in the London Marathon itself this Sunday.
In total the plan was to cycle over 450 miles and run more than 100 miles in eight days, with marathons in Belfast, Dublin, Bristol and London.
With Belfast and Dublin behind them, yesterday they were cycling with three others in Anglesey when Gareth was involved in a collision with a car. He was killed.
Everyone at the charity is devastated that this 27-year-old man, who was such a committed fundraiser in the fight against the disease which took his friend and childhood next door neighbour, has now been lost to us. Jez has been in touch, and not surprisingly is totally shellshocked by what has happened.I had a message too from a member of Gareth's family, who said it was very hard to come to terms with what has happened.
Gareth and Jez were determined that out of the tragedy of John Erwin's death should come some good. It is horrific that it has ended like this.
The appeal remains open at www.justgiving.com/beldonchallenge It is now honouring the memory of not just one but two young men.
The BBC report on the accident which killed Gareth is here
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What a ghastly tragedy and such an abject waste. Truly distressing.
That is very sad news.
This so awful. My thoughts are with his family and friends.
Distressing and sad. Bike vs car – bike loses everytime. Let’s all drive a bit more carefully eh?
and some people believe in a just God ?
What a terrible tragedy. My heart goes out to his family and friends.
Having lost a first cousin to leukaemia (acute myeloid) when he was just 16 years old, this is an illness/disease that is well worth supporting in terms of money for research into it.
It just seems so cruel that this young man Gareth Crockett lost in own life whilst doing something to try and benefit others.
Such a sad story. My sympathy goes out to his family and friends.
Terrible news.
I spent most of my childhood going from A to B on a bike, and even though quite a rural area, I shudder to think if I would survive these days, what with the increased traffic and bigger trucks about, even though I had a couple of small accidents with said vehicles when young, but survived.
Roundabouts, for instance, on major roads, are deathtraps for pushbikers these days.
Such shocking news. I worked with Gareth, but sadly never got to know him and work with him properly, however I am well aware of the loss and devastation this tragedy has left.
However, we have been told that Jez still completed the marathon. What an amazing feat given such terrible circumstances.