On March 19th 2022, my older and much-loved brother David passed away at the young age of just 30, during the Parliamentary Six Nations fixture between the SPRFC (Scottish Parliamentary Rugby Football Club) and the Dàil and Seanad RFC at Donnybrook Stadium, Dublin.

Subsequent medical examination revealed that David died due to a previously undiagnosed cardiac condition.

David was a much-loved brother, son, uncle, grandson, nephew, cousin, friend and colleague loved by many and who is missed greatly every day.

In my brother’s memory, a group of friends and I are completing the 3 Peaks Challenge on the weekend of June 24th 2023 to raise money for the David Hill Memorial Fund.

The David Hill Memorial Fund has been set up by our family and CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) to reduce the frequency of young sudden cardiac death by supporting CRY’s cardiac screening programme. The aim is solely to fund the cardiac screening of young people within Dumfries and Galloway aged 14-35. One in every 300 young people screened by CRY will be identified with a potentially life-threatening condition. It costs just £60 per cardiac screening.

The challenge itself entails climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon, all within 24 hours, travel included. To do this we have a climbing team and a support team who will be at the base of each mountain along with designated drivers. This will all be self-funded with all money raised going towards the fund. The climbing team includes myself, Angus Dykes, Finlay Degnan, Lee Martin, Aaron Gemmell, Josh Gemmell, David Hamilton, Stevie Wight & Gareth McCall.