Murder Victim’s Parents Accept Son’s Certificate
Local charity Raleigh Bermuda announced yesterday [Mar.14] that donations have poured in, in memory of their 2011 participant Malcolm Outerbridge who was murdered last October.
Eighteen-year-old Malcolm [pictured] had recently returned to Bermuda from Malaysia, after spending 10 weeks there as part of Raleigh’s yearlong personal development programme.
Raleigh Bermuda’s Executive Director, Kristin White, said, “Malcolm’s death rocked the Raleigh family. It was especially difficult as Malcolm had really made the most of his expedition experience, and thus was feeling incredibly optimistic and focused about his future.
“For us to never see him realize his full potential is incredibly heartbreaking.”
Raleigh Bermuda recently had a graduation ceremony for the group that completed the summer expedition in 2011. During this event, Raleigh introduced their new group of 18 participants, who are currently training to be selected for the Summer 2012 expedition.
It was a sad moment that Malcolm could not be to graduate alongside his group, but his mother and father accepted his certificate on his behalf.
Malcolm and Kaywell Outerbridge accept their son’s graduation certificate from Governor Sir Richard Gozney:
She continued, “The night before Malcolm died, he and other participants gathered at the Raleigh office to discuss their Community Project. As part of the Raleigh Bermuda programme, the group is required to come up with a way to ‘give back’ to the local community.
“Malcolm was focused on wanting to paint a mural, as he’d been part of a similar project in Malaysia. He also asked me if he could be a Raleigh spokesperson.
“Both of these goals are coming to fruition. Malcolm’s group will be painting a mural at Paget Primary School, and Malcolm spoke to many of his peers before he died about Raleigh – some of whom have signed up to do the programme this year. “His mom has continued to speak about Raleigh, even asking that donations be given to us in lieu of flowers.
“Over $7000 has been donated so far. It’s incredible that Malcolm’s wish of being a Raleigh spokesperson is actually coming true.”
Malcolm’s mother, Kaywell Outerbridge, said, “In January 2011 while at CedarBridge Academy, Malcolm heard about Raleigh and was inspired to be a part of it. He signed up immediately – he was adamant that he wanted to go to Malaysia.
Kaywell Outerbridge with the Raleigh Bermuda 2011 graduating boys :
“After signing up, he came home overjoyed about Raleigh, and after training for a few months, he was selected for the expedition, and thus spent 10 weeks in Malaysia during the summer.”
Mr. Malcolm Outerbridge Sr. adds, “Malcolm left Bermuda in June 2011 for Borneo and returned back in September. When he was overseas, he would call home, and told me he liked what he was doing, and said this trip was a life changing experience for him. He made lots of friends while in Borneo.”
Ms. Outerbridge continued, “Malcolm returned home transformed with a vision to encourage his friends to embrace Raleigh. After Malcolm’s death, we chose Raleigh to receive donations because of the positive impact it had on Malcolm.
“I feel very overwhelmed that over $7,000.00 was raised in Malcolm’s honour, that his experience touched so many lives and for the kindness expressed to our family throughout.
“Even though he’ll be sorely missed by us, I know that he’s in a good place, and one day we’ll meet again. And, I’m extremely pleased that these funds can assist another young person to go on expedition and have a life-changing experience like Malcolm.”
Mr. Outerbridge concludes, “It was a horrible stabbing that happened to my son and I miss him and his smile, R.I.P. Malcolm.”
Raleigh Bermuda’s 2012 participants :
Raleigh Bermuda’s programme includes one on one coaching, group activities and residential camps, which take place over five months, before the participants leave for a ten week expedition in India, Malaysia, or Central America. Over the course of the 10 weeks, participants complete environmental and community projects, as well as an adventure challenge.
Malcolm’s environmental project on his first phase was in the Sepilok Jungle, where Raleigh is building a Bornean Sunbear Sanctuary and Conservation Centre. Malcolm’s adventure challenge on phase two was where he trekked through Long Pasia for about 12 days, and obtained his PADI dive certificate after completing a five-day course on Mamutik Island.
His Community Project on his third and final phase was in the small rural village of Sonsogon Magandai, where they built a kindergarten. Malcolm’s progress over the ten weeks in Malaysia was noticeable to all.
Video tribute to Malcolm Outerbridge posted by Raleigh International:
In the area of self-confidence, one of his project managers stated in his expedition report, “According to friends who Malcolm has made on his Raleigh experience, his confidence has soared since the beginning. “He was a consistently positive member of the group and would always be the first to volunteer for extra work.
“This ranged from helping a villager to build his house, to teaching extra English to older villagers. “His positive, pro-active approach meant that he forged good and lasting relationships with the local villagers and he consequently inspired other members of the group to do the same.”
Sam Hedges, Malcolm’s Project Manager on his final phase, said, “One concept that Raleigh is founded on is that of personal development. “Being placed in a new and challenging environment, both mentally and physically, and living closely with your team mates around the clock provides opportunities for young people to realise who they can be, and what they are capable of.
“They realise the depths of the ability that they have within them to do good in the world. The volunteers who go on a Raleigh expedition are left with a huge sense of achievement, and an understanding of the expression ‘a life changing experience’.”
Malcolm Outerbridge tree planting ceremony:
“It is fair to say that Malcolm epitomised this concept,” said Mr. Hedges. “The change in him, from the young person who arrived at field base fresh from Bermuda to the man who went home, was nothing short of astonishing. “He told me from the start that he wanted to change his life for the better, and get more into helping other people. ”
This remained constant throughout his time on Raleigh, and he developed into a person who consistently bought laughter and happiness to everyone’s day.
“Underneath his creative and brilliant exterior there was an iron will to do good. He would seize every opportunity to become more involved in the local community and build deep relationships with both his fellow venturers and the local Malaysians. He was held in high regard by everyone who knew him.
“His energy, laughter and passion for life were an inspiration for others, and will continue to be for as long as his memory is kept alive.”
In January a memorial tree planting ceremony to honour Malcolm’s memory was held at the Arboretum in Devonshire. And an ornamental garden in the park was named after him.
On 2 November 2011 a 15-year-old teenager was charged with the murder of Malcolm Outerbridge,
I really feel for Malcolm’s family & wish things like this would never happen to an innocent person. All the gangsters in Bermuda getting shoot doesn’t phase me but when the innocent are hurt my heart hurts also.
I hope karma comes around in full swing for the 15 year old who did this & also to those who let the demons into his soul. Some say justice will be served at the very end but that doesn’t seem fair to me when the innocent still suffer every day.
Kaywell, Malcolm and Makeishia (hope I spelled it right)this was a great tribute to Malcolm. RIP Malcolm. Blessings to you all and the Raleigh Family.
The tribute was awesome..and put a tear in my eye. How such a young man could have touched so many lives and made such a positive impact. Kaywell and family..keep God’s strength forever in your spirit during your continued moments of grief.