By Georga Spottiswood

The dad of a soldier killed in Afghanistan has climbed the highest peaks in the country to raise money to help build a memorial wall.

Tom Cuthbertson, whose son Nathan, 19, was killed in a suicide attack in June 2008, tackled Ben Nevis, in Scotland, Scafell Pike, in Cumbria, and Snowdon, in Wales, in 24 hours.

He was joined by 17 members of the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS), who battled against blizzards to raise money for five charities, including Brothers in Arms, which aims to build a memorial wall in Sunderland to honour those killed in service.

Mr Cuthbertson, an emergency care support worker for the ambulance service at Ryhope, said: “I’m still in pain now. The weather was horrendous. It was like being in the Arctic. You literally couldn’t see in front of your face.

“All I kept thinking about was Nathan and the good times we had. He would have thought I was as daft as a brush for doing it.”

The group had 24 hours to complete the challenge.

Mr Cuthbertson added: “There was three of us who completed the Three Peaks, but we didn’t get all the way to the top of Scafell Pike as we were told we had to stop as it was too dangerous.

“I collapsed into a heap when I finished.”

Peter Stoddart, operational manager for the NEAS for the South of Tyne and Wear, which includes Sunderland, was a driver for the group.

He said: “It rained from start to finish, but we didn’t let it dampen our spirits.

“Everybody gave it 100 per cent. The charities all lie close to the hearts of our members, who did a fantastic job.”

The money will also go to Facing All Cancer Together – after the ambulance service lost paramedic Judith Lightfoot to the disease 18 months ago – as well as the British Kidney Patients’ Association, National Autistic Society and Unison, the public service trade union which supports ambulance workers’ welfare.

A charity night will be held on July 16 at the Dubmire Royal British Legion Club, Fencehouses, where the group will see how much they have raised.

Brian Dodds, an advanced technician based at Pallion ambulance service, said: “Hopefully, we’ll have hit the £5,000, and maybe more.

“But every penny counts. A massive thanks to Was UK, Bells Truck and Van and the NEAS for their kind donations, such as the cars for our transport, and everyone one who supported us.”

Hi There,

Just came across your website for the first time and am very impressed.

I don’t know whether the attached is of any interest to you or whether any of your readers might be of help to me in researching my father’s WW1 army service history.

As will be seen from the attachment, there is obviously a Fencehouses/Burnmoor/Lambton Estates connection and any information or help anyone is able to provide would be greatly appreciated. I have lots more documentation on the subject ( too much to attach to an e mail) but I would be happy to discuss this with anyone who is interested.

Eric Bloomfield

Sgt Bill Forth was murdered whilst on duty in 1993

A refurbished park named in memory of a murdered police officer is being officially opened by his mother.

The Bill Forth Memorial Park Doorstep Green at Fence Houses in County Durham has been given a £190,000 refurbishment over the past four years.

The Northumbria Police sergeant, a married father-of-two, was murdered while answering a routine call in Gateshead in 1993.

His mother, Noreen Forth, will reopen the park on Saturday.

‘Completely renovated’

The park revamp was organised by Little Lumley Parish Council and Fence Houses Residents’ Association.

Parish councillor Brian Walker, said: “While Little Lumley Parish Council and Fence Houses Residents’ Association were developing this project and raising funds for the park, they felt it was a fitting tribute to name it after Sgt Forth, and to invite his mother Noreen Forth to officially open it to local residents.

“The area has been completely renovated, the land had to be cleaned before soil was imported, the area was landscaped, and grass could be planted. “Paths have then been put in, a play area and play equipment, as well as fencing and trees have been planted.”

The park has been developed with funding from a variety of organisations, including County Durham Environmental Trust and English Partnerships.

My friend an usher at my wedding a true hero.

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