January 13, 2016 4.25 pm This story is over 97 months old

Climbing wall for Lincoln pupil who died at Scout camp a step closer

In Jake’s memory: A project to build a climbing wall in memory of a former Lincoln pupil is one step nearer after a mammoth fundraising effort by students.

A project to build a climbing wall in memory of a former Lincoln pupil is one step nearer after a mammoth fundraising effort by William Farr C of E School students.

Jake Shaw, a former pupil at the Welton school, died in a tragic accident in Switzerland in the summer of 2014, aged 21.

He had been working as a volunteer at the Kandersteg International Scout Centre when he reportedly fell from an upper floor window.

A series of events were held by pupils at William Farr C of E School to raise cash for The Jake Shaw Climbing Trust.

Across the year a series of events – including school discos, movie evenings, a onesie-a-thon, a charity football match – were organised by the pupils, and by friends of Jake.

Now the school has totalled the money raised and discovered it tops £4,000, which will now go to the trust.

Jake Shaw went on from William Farr to Sheffield University, from where he graduated with a degree in Maths. He was an enthusiastic sportsman but his greatest passion was climbing.

The Jake Shaw Climbing Trust was set up to raise over £30,000 for the construction of the climbing wall at William Farr so others could to share the joy and inspiration of climbing in safe conditions.

Nearly a quarter of the necessary funds have already been raised with the total now at just below the £7,500 mark.

The wall will go in the school gym and be used within school but also be made available to clubs and community groups.

Teacher Jenni West said: “Jake was an exemplary student full of fun and adventure and well loved by the students and the staff at William Farr.

“A climbing wall is a fitting way to commemorate and celebrate Jake’s life and all the school community are absolutely committed to doing all we can to make it a reality.

“The students and staff have done a great job so far but we will keep up the work until the target is reached.”

Jake’s father Ian said his family were moved and delighted by the continued efforts of the school.

“The work being done at William Farr to help us towards our target are inspirational. We know Jake would be touched by all the efforts of his friends, the staff and pupils,” he said.

“We hope the wall, when it is installed, brings as much joy to others as climbing brought for Jake.”

The Jake Shaw Climbing Trust and details on the charity and how to donate can be found on the website here.