A 23-year-old who died at sea on a first date will ‘never stop exploring’ after his sister travelled to the arctic circle to spread his ashes.
Haydn Griffiths disappeared into the River Mersey on what should have been a joyous first date. Haydn, from Lowton, Wigan, died after being swept up in the waters of New Brighton beach in Wallasey, Merseyside on July 19.
Family members, who say he was a strong swimmer, believe a jellyfish sting he suffered earlier in the evening may have affected his ability to stay afloat. Haydn's body was found four days later - on July 23 - at Pier Head.
The former Lowton High School student was a keen explorer and loved being on the water and in nature - which is why his sister Megan travelled to Svalbard in Norway to scatter some of his ashes.
Haydn had spent hundreds of hours on the water taking part in sailing competitions and working on superyachts and oil tankers across Europe. So Megan took a boat to the remote location of Svalbard to start off a journey spreading his ashes across the world.
“We have a memory book where friends are sticking photos and writing memories of Haydn,” she said. “We’re spreading small amounts of Haydn’s ashes around the world when we go to cool places or on an adventure so that he will be everywhere and never stop exploring.
“You’ll find me outdoors in nature rather than mourning at a gravestone.”
Megan believed the ocean, mountains and ice glaciers were the perfect setting for Haydn’s continued travels with the family. Wearing her RNLI hat, the 29-year-old, alongside sister Brogan and dad Bryn and mum Diane, want to make people aware of the dangers of swimming in open waters.
They want people to learn from the tragedy - pointing out that even as an experienced swimmer, Haydn quickly found himself in trouble. They have already raised thousands for the RNLI through their GoFundMe page in Haydn’s honour.
Beneficiaries include the RNLI at Hoylake and New Brighton and a number of wildlife charities. A remembrance bench at Pennington Flash, where Haydn regularly helped out with the open water swims and sailing sessions, is also planned. The family additionally wants to help improve signage and awareness of water safety.
To donate to the GoFundMe page, click here.
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