Everest trek is 'for Michael', says murdered man's brother

Eugene Scardifield's world collapsed when his brother was murdered 11 years ago.

Born and raised in Portsmouth, Hampshire, Michael Scardifield was 40 when he was strangled in his flat in Stoke-on Trent in 2015.

Eugene said his death sent him into a spiral of depression and alcohol misuse, drinking up to eight litres of rum a day before he sought help from Support After Murder and Manslaughter (SAMM).

Now, in a bid to honour Michael's memory and raise funds for the UK charity, Eugene will be trekking to Everest base camp and beyond in April.

Eugene said that without the support of SAMM he "would not be here today".

"It was a horrific situation, said the father-of-four. "I didn't want to be here anymore.

"I can't remember the penny dropping but I remember being in my mum's kitchen and thinking 'what are you doing?', she does not deserve to bury another child.

"A phone call from SAMM was the difference between me putting the kettle on and pouring a glass of rum.

"It is a lifesaving charity and I mean that in the literal sense."

Eugene and Michael grew up on Hayling Island, with sisters Emily, Bekki and Jenni, and their stepbrother Darren.

Michael was a "fantastic, humble man", said Eugene.

"Mike got on with everyone, everyone adored him. He meant so much to people. The world deserves to know Mike."

As part of his climb, the 47-year-old from Portsmouth, will face a gruelling high‑altitude trek beyond base camp to Kala Patthar at 18,519ft (5,644.5m).

He said: "This climb is for Michael - and for every family trying to find a way to keep going after homicide. No-one should face this alone.

"People need to be aware of the raw reality of life after homicide and the support SAMM provides for families.

"It's the families that serve the life sentence, the murderer is just counting down the days until they are released."

When things get tough, Eugene said he thinks his of mum.

"She had to be the voice for Michael in court," he said. "I don't know how she had the strength, she's inspirational.

"Whenever I do these events and things are hard, I always think of my mum standing in that court and reading out her impact statement about her son. If she could do that, I can do this."

In the last decade, Eugene said he has channelled his grief to raise money and awareness for several charities through cycle rides, the Three Peaks Challenge and climbing seven mountains in seven days.

He said it all started with Cycle for Michael, a 226-mile (364km) ride from his home in Hayling Island to Crewe.

"Every life I touch gets a piece of Michael," he said.

"When I reached the summit of Ben Nevis, it was the closest I have felt to Mike since he died. I am hoping I have that same feeling when I get to Everest base camp. He is always with me."

Martin Birchall was jailed for life in 2016 after being convicted of Michael's murder.

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