A legacy foundation has been set up in honor of American scientist and Rock climber Lauren Kimiyo Worrell. Photo / ACAT
A legacy foundation has been set up in honor of American scientist and Rock climber Lauren Kimiyo Worrell. Photo / ACAT
A foundation that aims to raise money to supply safety equipment to rock climbers around the country has partnered with Aotearoa Climbing Access Trust (ACAT) to relaunch after suffering theft losses of almost $30,000 by a former trustee.
One of the fund’s trustees, Akshay Ogra, was convicted of theft of a person in a special relationship after he transferred $28,040 to himself for personal use. The stolen money was made up of donations to a Givealittle page out of an account he helped set up. He was convicted and sentenced in September 2022 to 12 months of supervision and three months of community detention. A large portion of the stolen money was recouped during a reparation process.
The fund, now known as the Kimi Worrell Foundation, is being administered by ACAT an advocacy group, and has now been officially incorporated with Charities NZ. It aims to use donated funds to educate about climbing safety to prevent similar accidents and contribute financially to the replacement of perishable and unsafe gear, including ropes and bolts.
Material left and reused by others at climbing locations presents a danger and Coroner Mike Robb ruled Worrell’s death was preventable had she used her own equipment and not relied on a rope that was already attached to the rock.
Lauren Kimiyo Worrell was a 28-year-old American living in Auckland at the time of the tragic fall.
The “heavily weathered” fixed nylon webbing Worrell clipped herself to snapped. Climbers who spot something dangerous at their local crag can apply for a grant to help fund replacement gear.
Richard Graham is a trustee and is leading the foundation’s promotion.
He said, “ACAT have announced we are up and ready to go, and the grant application process is almost finalised. We are hoping to raise awareness so people can apply for a grant, and if we get some additional donations - happy days.
