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downsmail.co.uk Tributes after death of triathlete


THE triathlete who drowned during the first leg of a charity challenge at Leybourne Lakes County Park had a history of epilepsy, an inquest has heard.


Paul Gallihawk (34) disappeared


while taking part in the Ocean Lake Triathlon.Heentered thewater for a 750-metre race with more than 100 other swimmers during the first leg of the triathlon, but failed to emerge. A large search operation continued for three days, but his body was found by divers on Bank Holiday Monday,August 31. Aninquest whichwas opened and adjourned heard that a post mortem examination gave the cause of death as immersion with epilepsy as a con- tributing factor. Paul had not had an epileptic fit


for 10 years but recently consulted a doctor after suffering from dizzy spells. He had been referred to King’s College Hospital. Paul had hoped to raise £300 for


the hospital, where his father had been treated, and had set up a Just- Giving page. When he started the race, the fund stood at £400 but less than aweek later it had risen to more than £17,000, including many dona- tions from people who had not known him. Recruitment worker Paul, who lived in Maidstone, went to Swade-


Phoenix firms


IN last month’s Downs Mail we conducted an investigation into phoenix companies, which is a practice whereby the assets of a failed company are passed on to another company. We would like to state that Phoenix Community, a com- munity interest company based in Senacre, had no association with this investigation whatso- ever.


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editions FREE online at www.downsmail.co.uk


NOMINATIONS are now open for the 2015 Dementia-FriendlyAwards in Kent.


Launched this year, the awards recognise great work done by vol- unteers, organisations and projects to make Kent more dementia- friendly, and residents are being asked to nominate their local heroes. The seven award categories are:


 Kent’s most inspiring person living with dementia: For someone living with dementia who has worked hard to make a difference in their own or other people’s lives.


24 Maidstone East October 2015


Lola Scott Mercieca with her letter and her dog Skipper


Dementia accolades


 Kent’s dementia volunteer award;  Medway’s dementia volunteer award;  Kent’s best local community involvement initiative;  Kent’s best organisational ini- tiative;  Kent’s best partnership project;  Kent’s best intergenerational initiative. To enter, go to www.dementi- afriendlykent.org.uk/awards. Finalists will be invited to a cere- mony at County Hall on October 2.


Paul Gallihawk at the triathlon


lands School at Lenham and later ran two businesses, Jobs4Locals and Recruit Happy. Hewas a keen foot- baller and two years ago set up Whitehawks FC, who play in the Maidstone and Mid Kent Sunday Football League.A minute’s silence was held throughout the league in his memory on theweekend follow- ing the tragedy. Organisers of the Ocean Lake Triathlon said theywere deeply sad-


dened by Paul’s death. Although he was an active sportsman, this was his first triathlon, and he was thought to have been wearing the yellow cap of a novice. The race followed set safety guide-


lines covering the number of mar- shalls and water temperatures. At least three kayaks and an inflatable boat were supervising during the race and novices were asked to in- form officials at registration. If any- one required assistance, they were expected to turn on their backs and raise an arm to summon the safety boat. However, it appears that no- one saw what happened to Paul, whose absence emerged after the start of the next stage of the race when a spare bikewas found in the rack.


Jack Buckner, chairman of the


British Triathlon Federation, said triathlon had an excellent safety record. This event followed set safety guidelines and had a compar- atively small field of only 108 ath- letes. The Health and Safety Executive


said itwas making early inquiries to see whether a full investigation


would be needed. Paul’s parents Malcolm and Linda


and brother Nick said in a statement: “Words cannot express howwe feel and what Paul meant, not only to us but to all of his family and friends. Paulwas a brilliant son and brother to Nick – he would do anything to help anyone and would always put them first. He had such a caring na- ture and will be sadly missed by all the family, extended family and friends.” Nick, from Leeds, added: “Paul


was the most caring brother and best friend I could have asked for.” Paul’s girlfriend, Hayley, said:


“Paul and I had been together for five years and he was the most amazing and thoughtful partner.He was incredible in every way and he always put others before himself. I loved him to bits and always will.” Friends recalled Paul’s sense of humour and his generosity. In a statement they said: “Many of us have known Paul since we went to school together and we are all com- pletely heartbroken. He was a gen- uine and honest man – he was the funniest person in the world.”


Pupil tackles dog mess issue


A MAIDSTONE schoolgirl fed up with having to dodge dog mess on her way to school has written to her local councillors. Lola Scott Mercieca’s plea to Cllrs


Tony Harwood and Jenni Patterson for action against dog owners who don’t clear up after their pooches prompted a political promise to get enforcement officers at work. Lola, who goes to Sandling


Primary School, wrote to the councillors as part of her life skills course.


Her mum Zoe Scott, who is a


teacher at the school, said: “I’m very proud that she wrote and very


War games


DETAILS about the legality of war game activities in woods off the A249 in Stockbury Valley were being awaited.


Members of Thurnham Parish Council were told that a Freedom of Information request had now been acknowledged by Maidstone Council.


The parish council’s clerk Sher- rie Babbington, who is also the clerk at Stockbury Parish Council, said the request was made after appeals for information from the borough’s planning department had failed to produce a response.


pleased that she received a response from both councillors.” Zoe and Lola walk their dog Skipper regularly in Penenden Heath and say in spite of there being plenty of dog bins, the area is strewn with dog mess. Lola said in her letter: “It’s disgusting having to avoid the mess.” She also raised the issue of diseases carried by dog waste and the unpleasant result of it being carried through the school on children’s shoes. Councillors gave Lola goodie bags and information leaflets to give to her classmates.


Trustees call


TRUSTEES are being sought for a community-based charity in Park Wood.


Fusion Maidstone, the healthy liv- ing centre, helps all sectors of the community and the management is seeking new trustees to complement the existing ones, to bring passion, drive and experience to the board. The group is looking for individu- als with a track record of effective performance, strategic thinking and sound judgment. Call Martin or Tracey on 01622 691177 or email martinbullivant@fusionhlc.org.uk or traceyelmore@fusionhlc.org.uk.


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