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Stratford's Matt Beacham completes challenge in memory of friend killed in plane crash




MATT Beacham has just completed one of his most emotional charity challenges when he took on The Three Peaks in memory of his friend, Lee Rogers from Stratford, who tragically lost his life in a plane crash over the English Channel in April.

Matt Beacham, centre, recently completed the Three Peaks challenge.
Matt Beacham, centre, recently completed the Three Peaks challenge.

Matt left a blue ribbon at the top of each peak and held a brief service of thanks for Lee, aged 51, who lost his life in a light aircraft crash over the Channel which also claimed the life of fellow pilot, Brian Statham.

Days after the plane went missing, Matt paid tribute to his close friend Lee when he said: “He always had a funny story and was a genuinely nice chap. When we first met I was doing charity work for Guide Dogs, he gave me a cheque for an amazing amount of money. Later he took on a puppy, Dixon who is now a guide dog.”

Both Matt and Lee did mountain climbs together for charity and climbed Snowdon earlier in the year. The Three Peaks Challenge Matt completed on 1st August was a fitting tribute to Lee because last October the two of them were joined by Neil Reynolds when they did the very same climb of Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon to raise £10,000 for guide dog puppies.

Matt Beecham, right, and Lee Rogers on a previous event. Photo: Mark Williamson
Matt Beecham, right, and Lee Rogers on a previous event. Photo: Mark Williamson

Despite the heatwave, Matt’s visit to all three peaks this time round was completed in driving rain which lasted the whole 29 hours of the climb, nevertheless he believes he was spurred on by Lee who he felt was by his side throughout, just as he had been during previous charity fundraisers.

“I was thinking of him the whole time,” Matt said. “I was also cursing him because he would have kept pushing me on when it got a bit tough and we would have laughed at this because I knew he was with me all the way.

“There was a service for Lee held at The Riverside near Tiddington where blue ribbons were handed out and I took three with me so I could place them at the top of the Three Peaks during the challenge. My target is to raise £3,000 for a guide dog puppy called Bev in memory of my sister who passed away in the New Year with Covid.”

A blue ribbon in memory of Lee Rogers was placed at the summit of each of the Three Peaks by close friend, Matt Beacham from Stratford. (58534467)
A blue ribbon in memory of Lee Rogers was placed at the summit of each of the Three Peaks by close friend, Matt Beacham from Stratford. (58534467)

He was accompanied on his recent climb by his brother, Simon Beacham from Wilmcote, and Robert Stanley who was the driver for the event.

Already this year Matt has paddled 18 miles in a kayak from Leamington to Stratford with his wife, brother and also walked solo, unsupported and totally self-funded from Roscoff ferry port in Brittany down to Concarneau - coast to coast – then back up the coast to Roscoff again, a total 296 miles, over ten days.

His charity challenges carry extra meaning for Matt now. He continues to raise money for guide dogs and through helping others he knows Lee is with him every step of the way.

Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/matt-beacham1 to donate.



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