Harry Greaves: Father pays tribute to 'brave spirit' after tragic death in Peru

Harry, whose body was found in the mountains of Peru, was described as having a "huge zest for life."

Simon Greaves said his family were still trying to come to terms with the fact he had died.

The backpacker, of Bronygarth near Oswestry, was last seen on April 7 when he set out on a solo mountain hike, two days before his 29th birthday. His body was found at the bottom of a 40-metre crevasse on Tuesday.

Today Mr Greaves said: "I'm trying to come to terms with the fact we have lost Harry at such a young age and so far away from home but what he was doing was the right thing and however terrible his loss is, I can't regret he lived his life in such a spirited and brave way.

"Our darling child has gone. Our pain is beyond words, but we forgive him leaving us so young. The purpose of life is more than simply to grow old. Humanity is not promoted by those of us who conform and defer. It is pushed forward by the seers and seekers after truth, the adventurous and brave. Harry was all of these.

"He was not a saint. He had known troubled times. Yet he walked in the light. We must not be broken by his loss but carried onwards by his love. Goodbye our beautiful boy."

Harry flew to Peru on February 20 and was visiting friends in Pisac, near Coscou.

His friends and family, assisted by the Lucie Blackman Trust, which supports British nationals missing or in crisis overseas, had launched a search to find him.

Harry's mother Sarah and cousin Lucy flew to Peru to help co-ordinate the search. The pair were due to fly home today with Harry's body.

More than £33,000 had been raised to help find the former Rhyn Park School pupil through a crowdfunding appeal.

Mr Greaves said although they are still trying to determine the cost of the search operation, he believes there will be some surplus funds which he is keen to donate to the Lucie Blackman Trust, as well as charities in or near to Pisac where Harry stayed.

The family are also hoping to use some of the funds to create a lasting way of remembering Harry by but are yet to decide what that will be.

Harry’s passion for the great outdoors

Sitting outside enjoying the company of his friends with a smile on his face, this is Harry Greaves as a schoolboy doing what he enjoyed most.

Following the tragic news of his death, his former school St Martins School posted a photograph on its Twitter page of Harry and his friends taking part in the school's Duke of Edinburgh trek when Harry was about 15 years old.

Accompanying the picture, the school described him as a "keen outdoor enthusiast".

Since the news of Harry going missing and the search operation unfolding, Harry's loved ones had spoken out in a bid to find him, painting a picture of the type of character he was and what made him tick.

Today Harry's father Simon Greaves said his son had a "huge zest for life".

"I can't regret he lived his life in such a spirited and brave way," he said.

"Harry studied furniture making at Leeds College of Art. He was interested in yoga, tai chi and meditation. When he was younger he played lots of sport. He also started to write a lot of poetry. He had an enormous creative gift.

"I want people to know how proud we are of him and how very loved he was by people."

Harry made furniture in the Oswestry area for his own company Marcher Furniture and also Wrexham company Silverlining Furniture.

Earlier this week, Mr Greaves said his son had an "adventurous streak" and although it had been his first trip to South America, he had travelled alone before.

"When he was 18, he travelled to New Zealand, and was there for six months. He's travelled by himself in remote areas, so that isn't untypical of Harry to look for remote areas and challenging terrain," he said.

Mr Greaves also described Harry as a "lovely human, much loved by not just his family but also his friends".

Harry's sister Ellen Greaves said the three words to sum up her brother were "caring, compassionate, thoughtful person".

Yesterday, Harry's former secondary school St Martins School – formerly Rhyn Park – held a minute's silence and a non-uniform day in his memory to raise funds for causes and charities close to Harry's heart.

The funds were due to contribute towards Harry's search efforts, prior to the news his body had been found.

Sue Lovecy, headteacher, said he was remembered as a popular pupil.

She added: "We are all shocked and saddened by Harry's death. Harry was a very thoughtful, creative and individual young man.

"He embodied all of the qualities that you could wish for in a person, empathy, conscience, bravery and vitality.

"He was very special and all our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this sad time."

Harry flew to Peru on February 20 and was visiting friends in Pisac, near Coscou, and was planning to hike in the mountains of Kinsa Coch.

After the news he was missing, his friends and family, assisted by the Lucie Blackman Trust, which supports British nationals missing or in crisis overseas, had launched a search of the area by land and helicopter in a bid to find him.

Hopes had been raised earlier this week after a further sighting of Harry was reported to have been made by a local. A tent similar to his was also found in the Kinsa Kocha area on Monday.

More than £33,000 had been raised to help find the former Rhyn Park School pupil through a crowdfunding appeal.

Friends of Harry said he had wanted to travel alone into the mountains and said he would be back within a couple of days.

They raised the alarm when he did not return as planned. The friends Harry had travelled to meet in Peru split into groups to join the search for him. It is believed his body was found by one of the professional guides hired by the family because of their knowledge of the mountains.

Harry's body was due to return to Britain today.

The family have been helped by the Foreign Office, who confirmed his death on Tuesday night.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time and our embassy staff are continuing to support them."