A HIKING challenge in memory of an amateur rock climber who was killed in a climbing accident has raised more than £3,000.
Staff at the Department for Transport took on Leith Hill, Holmbury Hill and Pitch Hill last week as part of a memorial hike for their former colleague Jack Wooding, from Ashtead.
The Forest Way resident died on January 14 after falling 300ft while climbing the Cairngorm Mountains in Scotland, where he suffered "unsurvivable" brain injuries.
The team, who will also tackle Mount Snowdon this month as part of the challenge, were joined on parts of the trip by Jack's father and mother, Eric and Margaret.
Speaking to the Advertiser, Mrs Wooding said: "The first event was a 12-mile hike across Surrey's highest peaks, all of which were places Jack knew and loved from his mountain-biking days.
"This achievement by Jack's colleagues is especially impressive as Jack had only worked there for three months before he died.
"I think that indicates what an extraordinary person he was, that so many people there were inspired to contribute in his memory."
A qualified solicitor, Jack was not wearing a helmet or any ropes when his accident occurred as it was "just a gentle slope", and failed in an attempt to stop his fall with an ice axe.
The 29-year-old's parents, sister Mona and brother George rushed to his bedside but they were told he would not survive.
A legal adviser for the Department for Transport, Jack attended The Greville Primary School and Therfield School before graduating from Oxford University with a double first in politics and modern history.
So far, through the challenge the group has raised £3,210, which will go to Climbing Out, an outdoor activities charity which works with children with severe injury or illness.
Mrs Wooding added: "We had a moment of silence at Leith Hill tower to remember Jack and then tucked into his favourite climbing staple, banana bread, made to Jack's own recipe.
"It is a great consolation to us that Jack's tragic death has at least benefited such a worthwhile cause, in addition to the large donations made in his memory to Human Rights Watch and the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team."
To find out more or to donate, visit www.justgiving.com/jack-memorial-hike
