"You are having an adventure!" - remembering Brian and Mollie Cockrem

We were honoured recently to receive a donation in memory of Brian and Mollie Cockrem, whose joint funeral was held earlier this year.

It was no ordinary funeral: it was carefully planned to celebrate their life and love of the outdoors. Family and friends were asked to wear their walking clothes, walking boots were filled with flowers and there were memorable photos of a lifetime of adventures together. 

Their daughter, Helen Bennett, said: “We tried to plan the funeral as if they were on the front row, watching. They were never ones for getting dressed up, or for formal occasions.”

Brian and Mollie were an ‘inspirational mum and dad’ who instilled a love of the outdoors in Helen, from a young age. She said: “We were just on the hills every day, it was a lovely childhood.”

Being in the outdoors allowed them time to walk together, to talk together, and to be inquisitive together: looking in the tarns, and in the mines – spending time together.

“Mum was not as outdoorsy when they met, but dad soon got her into cycling and walking: she loved it. They had done all the Lakeland hills: that was my dad’s motivation every day to go out and have a walk. In his younger days he would have been on a bike ride or a run.

“For me, now, going on a walk or a run – I need that more than ever. Just that freedom.”

Long-term health issues meant that Brian sometimes found himself unable to complete his walk. His first experience of a Tramper was on his 91st birthday, when he was unwell and not feeling able to walk. Helen suggested a trip round Tarn Hows on 4 wheels and then the tearoom – alternatively, it would have just been the tearoom.

“We never looked back, the option to use a Tramper on those more tricky days meant that dad could choose from a variety of options. It was, this is an option for today, that’s all. Just because you have been on a Tramper once, does not mean you are then going to be on a mobility scooter for the rest of your life.

“Sometimes he came out and used his walking poles, but if he was having a rough week and still wanted to go out and about, the Tramper allowed him to do that, accompanied by Mum and me.

“We did not use them every time but it made such a difference when we did use them. It was another tool in his box to allow him to go out and about.”

The family had great fun when they did use the Trampers, with Brian indulging his adventurous side. “Dad enjoyed the routes that were a bit gnarly and adventurous. And sometimes his grandchildren would be running around and my dad was in hare mode, racing them!” A real leveller.

They visited Grizedale Forest and Sizergh Castle: as well as Wray Castle, where he enjoyed the more rugged route. “You are having an adventure!” said Helen. The family also enjoyed regular visits to Holker Hall and were delighted when a Tramper became available.

We’re proud to have been part of this family’s story, and incredibly grateful to Helen for choosing Outdoor Mobility as one of the charities remembered at her parents’ funeral. As a charity, our income goes right back into keeping our service available for people who want to access the outdoors, ensuring that families can continue to experience the benefits of nature when they need it most.