Honeymoon tragedy man's uncle to raise funds in his memory

The uncle of a man who died in an Australian honeymoon tragedy is to tackle a road race in his memory.
By The Newsroom
Published 26th Jan 2016, 08:18 BST
Updated 26th Jan 2016, 08:24 BST
Marco Bulmer-Rizzi with late husband David.Marco Bulmer-Rizzi with late husband David.
Marco Bulmer-Rizzi with late husband David.

David Bulmer-Rizzi, from Houghton, died after a fall while staying at a friend’s house in Adelaide earlier this month.

After the 32-year-old’s death, his heartbroken husband Marco was told that because the authorities in South Australia did not recognise same-sex marriages, David’s status would be recorded as “never married” on his death certificate.

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Marco, 38, later received a personal apology in a phone call from SA Premier Jay Wetherill, who pledged to take action to change the laws which would allow a new, accurate certificate to be issued.

The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office also confirmed that as a result of David and Marco’s plight, a loophole would be closed that previously prevented same-sex marriages being recognised when couples travel to Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland and Canada.

David, who lived with Marco in Elba Park, was cremated in Australia.

His husband and father Nigel Bulmer, 61, who flew out to Australia after his son’s death, returned home with his ashes on Saturday. Marco’s call for change was supported by people from across the world and backed by celebrities.

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Paul Attwood, who will do a run in memory of his nephew, David Bulmer-Rizzi.Paul Attwood, who will do a run in memory of his nephew, David Bulmer-Rizzi.
Paul Attwood, who will do a run in memory of his nephew, David Bulmer-Rizzi.

Now, in tribute to David, his uncle Paul Attwood is to tackle Sunday’s 10k XBorder Challenge from Carlisle to Gretna in aid of YoungMinds, a charity which supports teenagers with their emotional wellbeing and mental health.

He has already raised more than £300 through donations from David’s friends and people who have supported Marco’s campaign. Paul, 55, is married to David’s aunt Clair Wilson, 52.

Paul, who lives in Carlisle, said: “I entered this before we knew about David and then I thought something good could come from David’s death and Marco has worked tirelessly, and this was an opportunity to continue that.

“I know this is something he would approve of and he would probably laugh at me running, but I’m sure he would have been pleased to see me do it, and he really strongly supported the Young Minds charity.

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Paul Attwood, who will do a run in memory of his nephew, David Bulmer-Rizzi.Paul Attwood, who will do a run in memory of his nephew, David Bulmer-Rizzi.
Paul Attwood, who will do a run in memory of his nephew, David Bulmer-Rizzi.

“It does really important work and it was Marco’s nominated charity, so if people want to remember David, they can do it in this way.

“People have been making donations across the world and we’d like to raise as much money as we can.”

Donations can be made via www.justgiving.com/Paulattwoodfordavidbulmerrizzi/.