FORMER classmates of a young Islander who died after being hit by a drink-driver three years ago are among a “Dads, Lads and Lasses” climbing challenge to raise money in memory of their friend.
Twins Charlie and Archie Wilson were in the same class as Charlie Lowe, who died on 5 August 2023 alongside his father Dean in a hit-and-run on Rue de Fauvic in Grouville.
Now the brothers and their father Richard are part of a ten-strong team, all with a connection to the Jersey Service, who are heading to Scotland to tackle the UK’s highest peak, Ben Nevis.
Four firefighters are part of the “Dads, Lads and Lasses” challenge, with Mr Wilson joined by his colleagues Marcin Mielka, Andrew Gallie and Graeme Stokes.
Alongside 14-year-old twins Charlie and Archie will be Mr Mielka’s daughter Mia (12), Mr Gallie’s 16-year-old son James and Mr Stokes’s children Millie (10) and Ollie (7).
Mr Wilson said his sons had gone through primary school at St Clement with Charlie Lowe and wanted to do something to honour their friend.
The climb to the top of the 1,345-metre peak will raise funds for two charities. The Lowes Legacy Fund was set up in memory of Dean and Charlie, supporting arts and music access, disadvantaged Islanders, and people with learning disabilities, while the Firefighters Challenge supports firefighters across the British Isles.
Chief Fire Officer Paul Brown said: “This fundraising challenge by Richard, Marcin, Andrew and Graeme and their sons and daughters is a brilliant example of so many things.
“It’s a physical challenge, but the motivation and intent mark it out as special – the Lowes Legacy Fund and the Firefighters Charity are incredibly worthy and, of course, there are important connections to respect.
“We know the ‘dads’, of course, and so it comes as no surprise that their children are adventurous and selfless – the idea is all theirs, and the achievement will be too.”
Mr Wilson, who has climbed Ben Nevis before as part of a “Three Peaks” expedition, talked to his sons about setting up an event for their Duke of Edinburgh sea cadets’ course, and the idea had then grown after talking to his work colleagues about it.
Friday 14 August is the scheduled date for the challenge, and anyone wanting to contribute to the group’s fundraising efforts can do so at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ben-nevis-2026.
