STEPHEN WRIGHTTributes were paid to young climber Stephen Wright who died at Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece, on 3 September, 2009.The 22-year-old fell while climbing at 700m in a remote area of the mountain with his Greek friend Jannis.His mum Sherie said he had told her just a few days ago he would rather die young doing what he loved than be safe and live to be 80."Steve had a passion for life and was level-headed and wise beyond his years – and very tolerant," she said."He was a physio student at the University of the West of England, which he absolutely loved. He had recently worked on the stroke unit at Cheltenham General Hospital and felt that he had found his niche."He wanted to help people."He had many, many friends. Everyone loved him. It would be hard not to."She said he had been working at the Cafe Rene in Southgate Street, Gloucester, during the holidays to finance his trip to Greece."He was very excited to be going and he was staying with his good friend," she said."His big plan was to qualify as a physio, consolidate that, then travel. He always told me my grandchildren would be in New Zealand or Outer Mongolia or wherever he ended up."We discussed this a couple of days ago before he set off for Greece. I was being a typical mum, worrying."Steve's comment was 'Mum, if I die at least I would have died doing something I loved – better that than live to 80 and have been too scared to do anything'."I am very proud of the man my son was."Steve, who was former pupil at Churchdown School, was also keen on martial arts.On the The Citizen's website www.thisisgloucester shire.co. uk, his mum added:"Steve was truly a magnificent individual.""He was a fantastic son and a good friend to many. He died pursuing his passion.”She added: “Goodnight my darling son you will always be in my heart.”Cafe Rene's landlord's personal assistant Maureen Randle paid tribute to Steve.She said: "He was the type of guy you met and loved immediately. He was so dynamic."He was quite incredible, very intelligent, and he had so much going for him."We are all totally blown away here."He really made an impact on everyone he met.""He had gone mountain climbing, that was his one passion. He loved mountaineering.""He had lots of friends. He was extremely intelligent and hard-working, everybody loved him. We are all so shocked today."http://www. thisisgloucestershir e.co.uk/ gloucestershireheadl ines/ Tributes-paid-tragic - Gloucester-climber/a rticle- 1312984-detail/artic le.html [thisisgloucestershi re.co.uk]
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