AddThis SmartLayers

Journalist takes plunge in memory of colleagues

A regional journalist has more than doubled the amount he aimed to raise in memory of two former colleagues and friends he worked with on a North East daily.

Kevin Clark, business writer at the Sunderland Echo, plunged from the top of the Stadium of Light on a zip wire to slide 250m across the River Wear.

He took part in the Zip Wear challenge to raise funds in memory of Ian Laws and Trevor Hoyland with the hope of raising £500.

Ian, who was the Echo’s digital editor, died on January at the age of 41 after collapsing at home, and reporter Trevor died in December following a battle with lung cancer.

Kevin smashed his target and raised £1,300 for two charities – the SAFC Foundation, the registered charity of Sunderland Football Club who Ian supported and the charity that his family chose for donations following his death – and St Benedict’s Hospice where Trevor was treated during his illness.

Sunderland Echo business reporter Kevin Clark on the zip wire in memory of Trevor Hoyland and Ian Laws

Said Kevin: “I really thought I’d be nervous – especially as it looked pretty quick from below – but once you were up there, it was fine.

“I actually really enjoyed it. And the total is currently just over £1,300, which is better than I ever imagined, so I’m absolutely delighted.

“I’ve been overwhelmed by the response and I’d like to say a big ‘Thank you’ to everyone who’s donated.”

The SAFC Foundation works with 30,000 young people every year in raising educational standards, promoting inclusion and well-being, encouraging life-long learning and supporting football development.

One comment

You can follow all replies to this entry through the comments feed.