Man's 123 peak charity climb in memory of airmen

Graeme Mulvaney said he was inspired to take on the challenge after learning about the airmen who lost their lives in 1940

A man who is climbing 123 peaks for charity has said he was inspired to take on the challenge as a tribute to three airmen who lost their lives over Coventry during World War Two.

Graeme Mulvaney said he had come across their story after noticing some Commonwealth war graves in the city's London Cemetery.

"I often run there and sometimes just stop and read the names before looking up their stories," he said.

The three were on a training exercise in 1940, flying at night over the city when they hit a guide wire for a barrage balloon, sustaining engine damage, he explained.

"They decided to remain with their plane and deliberately ditch it in to a cricket pitch, rather than bail out and risk the plane crashing into a densely populated residential area," he said.

Sgt John Collingham, aircraftman Sydney Firth and pilot officer James Irvine were all killed.

"To make that split-second decision to sacrifice yourself and save other people I thought was a really profound thing and it really impacted me quite a lot," said Mr Mulvaney.

"And I just wanted to do something that would help me and give me an excuse to talk about them and to share their story."

War graves of two of the soldiers remain in London Road Cemetery in Coventry

He has now completed more than 100 peaks in the UK as well as travelling to Morocco to scale Mount Toubkal.

"Travelling to Morocco with a medallion I had inscribed with the names of the airmen was a highlight for me," he said.

"I figured stashing it at the top of a tall mountain would be a fitting tribute to their sacrifice and a way to say thanks for encouraging me to become a better person," he said.

"The sacrifice of these three people 84 years ago inspired me to change my life - perhaps inspiration is all around us, we just have to open our eyes, listen and seize the opportunity."

Money he has raised from the challenge will be donated to the RAF Association.