A SISTER of a deckhand who died doing ‘his dream job’ in the south of France nearly ten years ago is raising funds in memory of her brother.
Claire Duxbury is organising the fundraiser for Blackwell Sailing, a group that enables local people with disabilities to sail on Windermere.
Mrs Duxbury has decided to complete a sprint triathlon and raise funds for the charity in memory of her brother Michael Hanlon, from Windermere, who was just weeks into his dream job working on a £65m superyacht when he drowned as it was docked in Antibes.
READ MORE: Student yachtsman drowned in south of France.
Claire Duxbury said: "A few days after my 30th birthday my brother tragically died at the age of 22 while working in Antibes, South France. As I approach my 40th birthday so does the 10th anniversary of this death. Every year a grief cloud descends at the beginning of April as we re-live the events that unfolded.
"This year I want to turn this into a rainbow and put all my energy into achieving something positive and have decided to complete a Sprint triathlon on March 31 and raise funds for a charity that I think my brother would approve of.
"Michael loved water sports. He was a keen sailor and at the time of his death he was studying to complete his RYA Yacht Master certificate.
"He just loved being on the water, not only to play and have fun but also to teach others so that they could experience the same joy he did. There is even a story of him removing his car wingmirrors so that he could teach a boy with disabilities how to sail.
"This is why I would like to raise funds for Blackwell Sailing because they do exactly that. They enable local people with disabilities to sail on Windermere."
A spokesperson for the charity said: "If Mike was still here, I would have had him involved with this place - if he wasn’t off sailing around the world or something.
"His energy and fun way of interacting with people is just perfect for teaching people with disabilities. We all need a bit of Milo in us!”
Mrs Duxbury said: "I would love to raise £1,000. If the actual event is going to be a challenge I may as well make the fund-raising target a challenge too.
"I know it's tough out there at the moment but I would be greatly appreciative of any amount you can. It’s a great charity that solely relies on donations and volunteers."
A coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death at an inquest held in 2015.
To make a donation visit: https://gofund.me/43db1e54
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