In memory of Ben

for family and friends

This website is in memory of Ben St Joseph who died in a chance rock fall while climbing on Ben Nevis on January 26th 2013.
He was a fit young man whose death was made particularly poignant  by the comments of his peers.

The stories of the inspiration,  encouragement and support he gave to many of his contemporaries is limited to his facebook friends and that list is now closed.

But  his parents have been greatly supported by  letters and emails from a wider circle and we hope to use this website to show how the service of celebration for Ben's life  may encourage others of his generation to ' explore the world and their limits' and be a focus for good.

Donations in his memory are being divided between two causes.

Funds sent to Hunnaballs (address below) in his name (or cheques made out to the Ben St Joseph Memorial Fund) will support this local cause.

Hunnaball of Colchester, York House, 41 Mersea Road, Colchester, CO2 7QT

Quotes on Ben

These are excerpts from the many letters we have had from his friends. We are sharing them with a wider audience to encourage others, particularly of his generation, to join us to think about the positive and encouraging side of their lives.

He achieved so much while he was here. You may have seen his long list of achievements, but what was impressive was his infectious enthusiasm. Even when everyone else was miserable, when it was raining, when he had a hole in his arm. He was always there, grinning. And just getting on with it.

I will miss him. A lot. Without wishing to be clichéd he had so much more potential, he had demonstrated through his numerous achievements and his plans for the future. I am so so pleased that he was around long enough to teach us a thing or two about ‘manning up’ and ‘getting what you want out of life. 

I met Ben 4 years ago through the OTC.  After persuading him to join the rugby team he broke his ankle playing in the Queens Cup at Sandhurst.  A couple of months later he had the pins out and asked the Doctor what exercise he should start doing.  The answer was 'A bit of light cycling'. Heeding this advice, the following week he cycled from London,  through France to Monaco.

He's one of my closest friends and without his relentless encouragement and care, I would not be where I am today.  ........Right now he 'd be telling me to man up and have a hobnob.

If the way he looked after his friends was any indication of the doctor he would have become, he would have been amazing, considerate and understanding but always willing to tell you how much of a wimp you were being.

Ben was an inspiration to me, as he was to huge numbers of people.  I am determined to turn his death, as tragic as it was into a force for good throughout the rest of my life, both personally and professionally in my medical career.

He was always an inspiration and his memory will always get me off the sofa and grab life by the horns.

Many of my friends - his contemporaries - looked up to him and his determination and courage were remarkable.  I shall really miss his positive attitude to everything and his 'get up and go' nature.