In memory of Ben

for family and friends

As Ben's dad I would like to welcome you all here to this service.  We are going to celebrate Ben's life and mourn his passing.  These are overlapping themes because we want to  gather strength from his life to let us look forward to the future now that he is gone from us.
Vivien, Emma and I feel privileged to have shared his life  and  feel even more privileged now that we find we have been sharing him with so many of you.  This has been an immense comfort and over the last two weeks we have drawn great strength from that.  I would like to pay particular tribute to those families who have already lost a child.  Many have opened their hearts to us and shown us the way forward.  There are some really brave people out there in the community.
I shared most of Ben's life -  except the first bit as I disappeared on an expedition to the north coast of Russia when he was 4 days old.  So you see his exhilaration for activity was not without precedent.
The thoughts that many of you have shared with us can be distilled into two things that you have said about him.  He encouraged  and he inspired you.   This is our family's message to all of you,  a reaffirmation of what many do already - go out and encourage and inspire others -   we must continue to look forward accompanied by his drive and vitality  rather than looking  backward with regret.
To Ben's generation in particular I would say - continue to be a force for good, overcome obstacles be they physical or bureaucratic.  Always set yourself challenges.  The good of the world is in your hands.  So use his memory and his attitude of mind for that.
One last word.  Sing!   Those found not singing will have to do a lap round the farm while  carrying a 45kg pack.  Ben would expect no less.