By Emily Parsons

Last updated at 14:02, Wednesday, 23 May 2012

Ten thousand pounds has been donated to charity in memory of a young climber.

Mic Machell

Michael ‘Mic’ Machell died in January while setting up an ice climb in the USA. He was 23.

Friends and family of the young climber have donated £10,000 to the Cumbria Community Foundation.

The donation will be added to the Dora Beeforth Memorial Fund, which supports young people developing a career or gaining experience in the outdoors.

Mic had volunteered with Langdale and Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team for three years, attending about 170 rescues.

Nick Owens, leader of the team, said: “Mic loved the hills and mountains. He lived for them. He walked, ran, climbed and biked, and although a little averse to water, didn’t mind getting wet occasionally as well! Dora and Mic shared a love of the hills and although they never met, they had the same personal motto ‘Carpe Diem’. We hope that young people will benefit greatly from this donation.”

Andrew Beeforth, director of the community foundation, said: “We’re glad that we can help Mic’s family and friends commemorate his life. The donation is being put to one of our permanent funds and young people benefiting from the fund will learn a little about Mic and his life.”

Mic was originally from Bury, Lancashire, but studied at the University of Cumbria where he gained a first class honours degree in professional outdoor practice. He travelled to America to study for a year at Berkeley University, but died at Cascade Falls at Lake Tahoe, in California.

He slipped while preparing for an ice-climbing trip with friends and fell 150ft.

First published at 11:29, Wednesday, 23 May 2012
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk