Joanna Lumley and Danny Boyle remember Olympics James Bond

With the 2016 Olympics looming in Rio, this week sees a mission to remember one of the most iconic performers of London 2012: James Bond.

Mark Sutton was the stuntman who thrilled crowds at the Opening Ceremony, parachuting over the Olympic stadium alongside partner Gary Connery as HM The Queen. Tragically, little over a year later, Mark was killed in a widely publicised wing-suiting accident near Chamonix in France.

In memory of Mark and his cousin Tim, who died of cancer shortly after, this Saturday 25 June a group of family and friends will take on Voltrek1000 – a 1,000km bike ride from Mark’s home in Shere to his place of death in Chamonix. Their mission will raise funds for The Gurkha Welfare Trust’s earthquake response in Nepal.

As a soldier, Mark won the Sword of Honour while at Sandhurst and went on to serve for several years with the Gurkhas. His brother Steve sums up the Voltrek1000 team’s motivation: “Mark had a huge affection for his Gurkha comrades and their homeland, Nepal. He was a great supporter of the Trust and we’d like to continue that legacy.

“The terrible earthquakes last year claimed thousands of lives. That’s thousands of others who lost their own brothers and loved ones, while the damage to homes and infrastructure was devastating. We hope, in some small way, to help Nepal recover from that overwhelming loss.”

Joanna Lumley, whose father once served in the same regiment as Mark, is supporting the team’s efforts. As Vice Patron of The Gurkha Welfare Trust, she said: "I cannot think of a more generous and glorious way of remembering Tim and Mark than this ambitious and insanely energetic bike ride.

“On behalf of The Gurkha Welfare Trust I want to say how hugely appreciative we are. The money raised will support our old Gurkha soldiers and their communities in Nepal, who need our help now more than ever. So many were affected by the recent earthquakes and this will help them to recover and rebuild.

“I send a million thanks, and encourage everyone who reads this to send something, to honour the memory of Mark and Tim, to help the Gurkha veterans and their communities and to encourage our saddled heroes who undertake the challenge ahead."

Director Danny Boyle has also given the team his backing. Boyle worked with Sutton on the Opening Ceremony and wrote a moving tribute following his death.

Speaking about Voltrek1000, he said: “Mark represented the finest qualities of human spirit and was determined to push the limits of what man can achieve. If the Gurkhas are famed for their courage then Mark would have fit right in among their ranks.

“I’m sure that he’d be proud to be remembered with such a worthy mission to help his former comrades in earthquake devastated Nepal. I wish Mark’s brother and the rest of the Voltrek1000 team the best of luck with their efforts.”

Support Voltrek1000’s mission at justgiving.com/voltrek1000 or visit gwt.org.uk/earthquake for information on the Trust’s work.

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NOTES TO EDITORS

Video:

Previously unseen footage of the Opening Ceremony jump, recorded by Mark Sutton, is available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-96pkRfEmg

Images:

Hi-res images (jpg) are available to download via Dropbox at:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ywgtyevc79tfr5w/AADh_OwpPbdiDNZD6lge5qyRa?dl=0

About The Gurkha Welfare Trust:

The Gurkha Welfare Trust is the leading Gurkha charity, established in 1969. It provides financial, medical and development aid to Gurkha veterans, their families and communities. The Trust is a registered charity (No 1103669). For more information on its work, please visit www.gwt.org.uk.