THE founder of a Hereford Christian adventure charity has died in a climbing accident on Mont Blanc in the Alps.
Andrew Wilkinson, who was 45 and from Fownhope near Hereford, was described by his charity Dynamis Adventures as a man whose "energy, experience, attitude, and selfless approach to working with young people was infectious".
An inquest concluded he fell on September 11 after the rock he was attached to fell on the mountain in France.
A statement from the Wilkinson family and trustees of Dynamis Adventures said it is with "immense sadness" that they had to tell people of the death of "Wilki".
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Mr Wilkinson was ascending Mont Blanc with his climbing partner.
But they stayed on the mountain and were safely rescued early the following morning.
At this time, all immediate operational activities at Dynamis have been suspended while the trustees put together a plan of how to proceed with any ongoing services.
The charity said it appreciates people's patience at this time and will be in touch with a further update.
"Wilki loved people and the outdoors in equally massive measure and formed the basis for the amazing work of Dynamis Adventures," they said.
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"His energy, experience, attitude, and selfless approach to working with young people was infectious, and he gathered around him a group of wonderful volunteers and staff that gained as much as they gave out in working with him.
"However, Wilki loved his family and his God even more. His deep-rooted Christian faith was the rocket-fuel behind everything he did.
"His overflowing love and concern for his family, friends, his colleagues and young people stemmed from his love of Jesus, and the simple knowledge of a living God as his loving Father."
The family respectfully ask for privacy at this time and a notice will be posted in due course when details of the funeral and thanksgiving service are known, they said.
"We all grieve deeply this enormous loss, but we grieve not without hope, and thank God for a life fully lived.
"Please join us in praying for Sarah and girls at this time. Thank you."
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