Memorial to honour runner planned for north-east community
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A group of friends is raising funds for a permanent memorial to a Team GB runner from Daviot who passed away in October.
Chris Smith, who grew up in the community near Inverurie, was 43 when he lost his life running in the Glen Lyon area of Perthshire while on holiday with his wife Lindsay and two sons.
A search and rescue operation was launched on Tuesday, October 27 when he did not return from the run and his body was discovered two days later.
As well as the memorial, plans are under way to hold an event next summer in his honour.
An accomplished fell runner, Mr Smith represented Great Britain in many international mountain running events and helped Team GB to bronze in the European Mountain Running Championships in 2016.
He first honed his talents in the north-east, and holds the record time for the Bennachie Hill Race.
He left Daviot some years ago – and was living in Haywards Heath, West Sussex at the time of his passing – but he regularly returned to Daviot and the surrounding area, where many of his friends still live.
Recently, a group of his friends banded together with the aim of creating a lasting memorial to him in the village.
They contacted the Daviot Community Trust, which has been responsible for a series of improvements to land around the Daviot House Estate, including the creation of a network of paths and extensive tree-planting.
The trust was receptive to the idea of a memorial being created at the site of a water pump house and burn on the grounds.
Plans for the site include a refurbishment of the pump house – known locally as the ram house – complete with a new roof and working weather vane and tiered bench seating as a nod to the bronze, silver and gold podiums used in many sporting events.
The group has been putting its skills to good use, with designs and sketches for the memorial and a commemorative plaque already completed. There have also been many offers of labour and support to help complete the project.
In addition, a GoFundMe page has been created to raise funds for the memorial, which has been met with an overwhelming early response.
And, in a further tribute, the organisers of the 2021 Daviot Biathlon, scheduled to be held on August 28, have decided that it will be held in Mr Smith's memory, with his wife Lindsay to present trophies on the day.
David Barrack, one of Mr Smith's friends, said: “We thought it would be a fitting tribute to create some sort of memorial to Chris in the village where he spent so many happy years, so we got in touch with Peter McHattie from the Daviot Community Trust. Peter and the trust collectively put their heads together for ideas on a fitting tribute.
“The pump house renovation, memorial plaque and seating tied in with its annual biathlon and seemed to tick all the boxes. With the trust and Chris’s friends on board, plans were put in place.
“We think that this would be a great place, not only for people to remember Chris, but also a nice spot that people in the village can enjoy for many years to come.
"The setting is very peaceful with a burn leading down to a pond and the pump house has open views of the surrounding countryside and is a great place to watch wildlife.
“We’re lucky to have a lot of talented friends, including architects, graphic designers, builders and joiners who have already either offered help or have started to get the wheels in motion.
“We have a 3D sketch of what we’d like the memorial to look like and an amazing silhouette of Chris running, that we’d like to use on a plaque at the site.”
Daviot Community Trust director, Peter McHattie said: “When David first approached us with the idea, we were more than willing to help; we were 100 per cent in favour of getting it done.
“The rejuvenation of the ram house is something we’ve been wanting to do for a while, so for it to happen for this very special purpose is absolutely brilliant. When I speak to people in the village, they’re all of the same opinion.
“It’s an ideal situation for a memorial and it will be used a lot by the community, I’m sure of that."
Organiser of the Daviot Biathlon and fellow community trust director Dave King, said: “It will be really fitting to rename the biathlon after Chris. Given his enthusiasm for running, and his passion for the village, it is very appropriate.
“When we were approached, we felt instantly that a memorial was the least we could do to commemorate Chris and we’d also consider making the event running only – if that’s what is preferred. We’re flexible and open to ideas about that.”
Anyone wishing to donate to the memorial can do so at www.gofundme.com/f/the-chris-smith-daviot-memorial
