James Brownhill Memorial Fund

This website is here to celebrate the life of James Brownhill and to promote the ways in which we commemorate him and raise funds for the ‘James Brownhill Memorial Fund’.

This fund has been set up by James’ family following his death on 1st July 2011, on the Frendo spur, Chamonix, France.

The JBMF currently provides 8 bursaries a year and has provided over 100 bursaries so far.

Every year, the fund subsidises eight dedicated places on a Plas y Brenin Scottish Winter Mountaineering course.

The fund aims to encourage and foster a higher level of safety, good practice and sustainability within university climbing clubs.

This fund will award volunteers with bursaries to undertake courses to consolidate and develop safe climbing practice for teaching new and inexperienced climbers in individual and group situations.

James was an avid climber and mountaineer. His love for climbing led him to develop skills in every climbing style but it was in Alpine and Traditional climbing where he sought to improve most.

James reveled within the wider community of climbing. He shared much happiness with those he met in the Peak District and regular trips to Chamonix; always encouraging people to embrace the challenges of climbing.

His consistent passion for climbing led to involvement with his university club, an opportunity to share enthusiasm, skills and knowledge with like minded individuals.

James will be greatly missed, but through this fund we hope to preserve a passion and attitude to safe climbing that James constantly upheld. We value and appreciate your support in enabling this to happen and feel James would approve.

The JBMF has produced a book of walks - James' Dark Peak Gems - to mark the 10 years since James' death and keep his name and spirit alive. The JBMF produced greetings cards as part of the fundraising.

Event details are available on the Facebook page.

As a result of the very generous donations and sponsorship monies received by the JBMF we can proudly announce that the original intention of providing bursaries for a 5 year period has been quickly met and now the fund will provide bursaries for

22 3/4 Years

To match the age of James when he died.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to and supported the fund in a wide variety of ways. We know James lives in ALL your hearts.