Local 'March for Pickles' aims to help raise £11,000 for mountain rescue team who came to aid of Antrim man

FAMILY members and friends of the Antrim mountaineer who passed away in a tragic accident last year have organised a fundraising walk in his memory this weekend.

William Onion (33), a former soldier with the Royal Corps of Signals who served in Afghanistan, had been living in Bournemouth with his partner Nichol where he ran a business bringing people together ‘through social group hikes, bootcamp fitness classes and personal training’.

He fell around 200 meters in Snowdonia on 11 November, at the same time as the two-minute Remembrance Day silence.

Mr Onion, originally from Muckamore, is survived by his parents Alastair and Julie, sister Amy, and his partner Nichol.

His service of thanksgiving in Wrays Funeral Church heard emotional tributes from friends from the forces, home and work, many remembering him by the nickname ‘Coach Pickles’.

Mourners were told that Mr Onion had ‘a genius for building life changing communities’ and that he died ‘doing what he loved’.

His partner told how they enjoyed running, paddle boarding, hiking and sea swimming and how his strength of character and drive meant he was constantly building for their future.

William’s job and love of hiking took him around the world, including to Everest base camp, and he often helped raise funds for charities.

After the funeral service, a piper led the cortege into Sixmile Cemetery for burial and the Last Post was played at the graveside and poppies were dropped into the grave.

In November, hundreds took part in the March for Movember, a hike over the South West Coast Path in Dorset each November, in his memory.

Over 350 people took part, including family members of Mr Onion.

The walk was re-branded as the ‘March for Pickles’ and many people wore hats branded with the slogan as they trekked 21 miles from Lulworth to Swanage.

Now a March for Pickles will take place closer to home this Friday.

The walk will start at the Seven Mile Straight at 4pm on Friday January 12, going along the Mill Race Trail, Riverside, where William grew up, and on to the Lough Shore.

It will be one of a number of fundraising events carried out by ‘Team 83’, hoping to raise £11,000 by November 11 2024, which will be the first anniversary of William’s death, in aid of Llanberis Mountain Rescue, which helped recover his body following the tragedy.

Mollie Nye, who was with William on the day he passed away, said: “Team 83 have set ourselves the challenge to raise awareness and vital funds for Llanberis Mountain Rescue.

“Many of you who knew Will, will know that he lost his life in the mountains whilst we were hiking along Crib Goch. It’s true what they say, you never think you will need to call for help… until it becomes your only option.

“Following the accident, a 999 call was made, and Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team were urgently deployed.

“A helicopter for immediate attendance to Will, and a foot team to make their way along the ridge to rescue and support the remaining five of us.

“Using all their resources to escort us to the safety vehicles on standby. This was all whilst we were coming to terms with the accident that had happened in front of us.

“Both land and air rescue support were very professional, reassuring and efficient throughout the entire day. Ensuring our safety, listening to us, keeping us calm, all while they carried out their rescue.

“To put this into context, the rescue consisted of two helicopters, two Land Rovers, foot teams, medical team and the numerous support personnel.

“Since the accident on 11/11, we have researched Llanberis Mountain Rescue, and how they operate.

“The team are all voluntary. They work 24/7, 365 days a year to ensure there is a team on standby, should people just like us need help in the mountains.

“During 2023 alone, Llanberis Mountain Rescue attended 308 callouts, with seven of these happening simultaneously within a 24-hour period.

“Not only do we appreciate the physical work of a rescue, but the mental strength required to attend call out, after call out after witnessing such tragic events. With over 50 active members, giving their time and resources including the dedication to ongoing training.

“With the assistance of IT support, equipment maintenance, welfare, finance and fundraising teams.

“Without these members, their rescue efforts would not be possible.

“We can’t help but think what we would have done on that tragic day, should this team not have been there to help us. That’s why we have decided to fundraise for them.

“Team 83 is going to participate in a continuous 100km Walk / Run in the Peak District in July this year.

“Other fundraising activities both solo, and team orientated will be ongoing throughout 2024.

“There could be a day in the future, a group of friends find themselves in a similar situation, and making sure the funds are there to enable this team to support them, is the least we can do to say Thank You.”

To donate, log on to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mollie-nye3