A TEAM of Royal Marines have raised thousands for two charities after completing a marathon challenge in memory of a maths teacher at the Vale of Leven Academy.
Chris Moses, from Cardross, died in a tragic accident in January 2020 and six of his former colleagues from the 43 Commando team based at Faslane organised a fund-raising event in his honour.
The six-man group started at 6am on March 12 and ran to the summit of the 2,326ft mountain Beinn a’ Mhanaich and back.
Despite wind, sleet, rain, snow, and very wet and undulating terrain, Kane Holford, Richie Hayden, Frank Thompson, Leuan Gittings, Christopher Gilbert and Kristian Sierota ran the 13-mile route twice.
Just before the marathon-distance challenge, Major Holford and WO2 Hayden embedded an oak plaque on the summit’s cairn in tribute, which is now being unofficially dubbed the “Moses cairn”.
Collectively, the team ran 156 miles, ascended almost 30,000 feet in under 20 hours and raised almost £7,500 for the Royal Marines Charity and Erskine Hospital.
Maj Holford, who worked with Chris from 2015-2017, said: “Since leaving 43 Commando and the Royal Marines, Chris continued to be a paragon in the Clyde community where he lived with his wife Joanne.
“A former Royal Marines officer, tree surgeon, maths teacher, and a supporter of Helensburgh Amateur Athletics Club, to name but a few, he persistently contributed to his local community.
“He was never one to turn down physical challenges, whether it was travelling into work, for fun or for a charitable cause.
“This event was in commemoration of Chris’ life and in the spirit of his approach to such challenges.”
WO2 Hayden said: “The team have done exceptionally well and made Chris and his family proud.
“I could not be more pleased with how the event has unfolded, the donations made and the support we have received from the Clyde community.
“Despite adverse weather conditions, particularly at the top of the mountain, and at times running in the dark, the lads showed grit and cheerfulness which epitomises what we as Royal Marines constantly strive for.”
Following Chris’s death, the Academy’s head teacher, Matthew Boyle, described him as “bright, cheerful and compassionate” and “a lovely man”.
READ MORE: Vale of Leven Academy teacher Chris Moses dies in tragic accident
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