Page 26 - 2007 AMA Summer

THE AMA MEMORIAL FUND
A TESTAMENT TO THOSE OF OUR MEMBERS WHO HAVE PERISHED IN TRAGIC CIRCUMSTANCES
As Vice Chairman for Mountaineering I would like to bring your attention to the existence of the AMA’s Memorial Fund. Whilst serv­ ing in a previous committee appointment as Treasurer I was examining the books of the Association and I came across an account named the Army Mountaineering Association Memorial Fund. From my earlier time on the AMA Executive Committee I knew of the existence of the fund but I had no clear under­
standing of its origins or exact purpose. Intrigued. I decided to find out more.
A little research brought to light the original charter of the Memorial Fund which stated that that the aim of the fund was "To provide grant aid to young climbers (generally under 25 years of age) in order to increase their moun­ taineering experience and allow them to develop their mountaineering skills and judgement". As I delved a lit­
tle deeper the background and purpose of this philan­ thropic fund also became clear. The fund had been set up in 1975 following the loss of five members of the Association during or after the Nuptse expedition of that year. The fund was created as "a permanent memorial to those five and all other mem­ bers of the Association that have died in tragic circum­ stances".
The names of all those who
have died in such circum­ stances, along with those who have provided notable service to the AMA, are dis­ played on the "IN MEMORI- AM" board which is displayed prominently in the main corri­ dor of JSMTC (Indefatigable). These names are repeated In the table below.
To my surprise, I went on to discover that I was officially (and legally) a trustee of the fund. After some discussion with our then Chairman,
By Paul Edwards
Climbing is more than a sport, it is a calling that a climber can not ignore!