Video Tribute To Malcolm Outerbridge
During last week’s funeral for 18-year-old murder victim Malcolm Outerbridge, Raleigh Bermuda paid tribute to the young Bermudian who had just returned to the island from an expedition to Borneo in September.
Founded in 2004, Raleigh International Bermuda uses overseas expeditions, local training and ongoing training to challenge young Bermudians to harness their full potential and develop skills for life.
“I am honoured to present this tribute to Malcolm, on behalf of the entire Raleigh family, including everyone here in Bermuda and all of his friends from Raleigh Borneo,” said executive director Kristin White.
“Malcolm joined Raleigh earlier this year. In his application, he said he wanted to part of it because he wanted to make a change in his life, and his attitude. To help him look at life in a different way.
“I feel very happy that I can stand here and say without doubt that Malcolm did that. He was so committed to the programme, and to himself to his future. I’m sure that everyone that talked to Malcolm in the last few months saw what I did, what we all did at Raleigh – a young man that was so motivated, and so happy, and so proud of himself.
Ms White said she remembered his mother reading aloud from a letter he wrote from Borneo, and talking about how he was going to be a new Malcolm K. Outerbridge.
“And he was,” said Ms White. “He was still funny, and still compassionate, and caring, and still had all those amazing traits that had made us love him from the beginning. But in his eyes was this focus that I hadn’t seen before.
“He walked into the Raleigh office with this sense of confidence, this, I am here attitude with his head high and it was remarkable. Prior to leaving to expedition, I’d meet regularly with all of the participants for what we call one to ones, a chance for me to just chat with each person individually, and give them the opportunity to share what’s on their mind, what’s going on their lives.”
Ms White described Malcolm as “always so incredibly insightful and aware”. She said he would talk about his burning desire to be a better man — how he knew he could be more and do more but didn’t know how to go about it.
“He discovered how in the small villages of Borneo,” she said. “The tributes to Malcolm from those who were on the expedition with him have poured in – they say he motivated and inspired them all. That he encouraged and helped them all. They say that they all learned from him to do the same for others.”
Another Bermuda participant on the Borneo expedition with Malcolm shared her favourite memories of the teenager.
“My favorite memory of Malcolm had to be when we all came back from our first three week phase, and the person I wanted to see was Malcolm because he always put a smile on my face with his joking self, and so when I saw him I ran and hugged him and started to cry because I missed him but he told me not to cry because we should be happy that we get to experience this on our own, for we live our lives on our own,” she said.
“And so we sat together that same day talking all night about what we would be doing when we all get back to Bermuda. He said he never wants to go because he never knew what could happen but he would go back for his family and friends. He kept talking about doing more things with Raleigh, and getting his GED.
“I told him he should if he wants to go far, and he took every word into heart of wanting to change himself and change for his family and making them see that he is more than a boy who has anger and just fights. He wanted to be known as a young man who made something of his life and show how he became the man he is today because of Raleigh.”
Ms White said her favourite memory of Mr. Outerbridge was her last memory.
“On Thursday, Oct 27, our group gathered at the office to discuss what they’d be doing to give back to the community,” she said. “A key part of our programme is making a difference when you return home. and so they talked about what they wanted to do.
“Malcolm cracked jokes as usual. We all did. We also talked about everything under the sun, including what he thought was his rock-climbing record at Olympic Club. And in the middle, out of the blue, Malcolm says, ‘I want to be a spokesperson for Raleigh, I could do that’? And I said sure, definitely.
“And then we all just kept talking. Malcolm was pretty vocal about wanting to do a mural at the children’s ward at the hospital. he kept saying how he’d done these handprints on the side of the kindergarten they’d built in Borneo, and he wanted to do the same thing here.
“My next one-to-one with Malcolm was scheduled for the next day. I’m said I never got to have that final one-to-one.
“But I will never forget these last moments with Malcolm. How he was so passionate about Raleigh and really about life. I’m sad he’s gone. I really am. But I am so happy that he was able to become the man he wanted to be. And that everyone was able to see the Malcolm that we’d all gotten the chance to see.
“We are all so proud of Malcolm and he will forever be in the hearts of the Raleigh family. Terima Kasih, thank you Malcolm. For all that you have taught us.”
Just after noon on October 28th, police and paramedics responded to a reported assault in the Railway Trail, Bulkhead Drive, Warwick area. When officers and EMTs arrived at the scene, they found Mr Outerbridge who had been seriously injured. He was taken to the hospital via ambulance, but subsequently succumbed to his injuries.
On November 2nd a 15-year-old teenager was charged with the murder of Mr Outerbridge, however police are still seeking assistance from anyone who have any information.
The police said, “Officers still need to ensure that they have spoken with all the persons that were walking on the Railway Trail between Khyber Pass and Rocklands Road, Warwick, on the morning of Friday 28th October, 2011.”
“In particular, a number of persons have been seen to be walking on this section of the Railway Trail between 10:30am and 1:00pm.” If you saw the victim and any other persons in this vicinity on Friday 28th October, 2011, between these times, we are urging you to contact the Serious Crime Unit.”
The Serious Crime Unit can be contacted on 295-0011, alternatively, anyone with any information regarding the murder of Malcolm Outerbridge can call the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers hotline on 800-8477.
