Family’s relief as man scales death mountain

5:03pm Friday 5th September 2008

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A FORMER Clarendon College student reached the peak of the highest mountain in western Europe just a day after eight people were killed in an avalanche on the way to the same summit.

Jeremy Biggs, 36, originally of Trowbridge, and now of London, was on an expedition to reach the summit of Mont Blanc, which lies between Italy and France and is the highest mountain in the Alps at 4,695 meters.

Mr Biggs was carrying out the challenge with his company Northern Trust - an international banking firm - for the charity Sense International, who help people who are both deaf and blind to live active lives.

But on August 24, a day before the group of 16 Northern Trust clients and staff made their ascent, eight people were killed on the mountain when a huge avalanche struck a group of climbers at an altitude of 3,600 metres.

Mr Biggs' mother and father, Wyn, 76, and John Biggs, 77, from Sandring- ham Road, Trowbridge, said it was the hardest thing their son has ever done.

Mrs Biggs said: "Jeremy is an ex-Army officer but he said he'll never attempt to climb Mont Blanc again."

Mr Biggs added: "This wasn't just a stroll in the park especially after eight people were killed in an avalanche there.

"I saw the story in the newspaper but I thought I better not tell his mother until he's safely down.

"We were very relieved when his sister sent us a text to tell us they were all down safely.

"We are always proud of all Jeremy does. He has always been adventurous. He's a trained scuba diver and whilst in the Army he served in Northern Ireland and Bosnia."

On August 26 between 7am and 8am the Northern Trust group reached the summit of Mont Blanc raising £20,000 for their charity in the process.

The money will go towards a new Sense International centre India, which will provide education to people who are both deaf and blind.

If you would like to help the charity, call the Wiltshire Times & Chippenham News on 01225 773641.