Honouring Dan Paterson: A Lasting Legacy in Wakefield and Beyond

This week marks one year since the passing of Dan Paterson—co-founder of Wakefield CrossFit, accomplished climber, and a man who inspired everyone around him to live with energy, purpose, and kindness. In May 2024, Dan tragically lost his life during a descent from Mount Everest, having reached the summit on what was intended to be a memorial trek in honour of a gym member who had recently passed away from cancer. A sudden ice collapse near the Hillary Step brought a heartbreaking end to what had been a selfless and extraordinary journey.

Dan’s mission to Everest wasn’t about ticking a box or chasing personal acclaim. True to his character, it was about giving back. He’d committed to the challenge as a fundraiser to support the partner and young children of his late friend—a gesture that spoke volumes about the kind of person he was. Even in the most remote and demanding parts of the world, Dan carried the needs of others with him.

In the days and months that followed his passing, a groundswell of tributes began to take shape. What started as local remembrance soon grew into something wider—proof of how many lives Dan touched, and how many people were moved to honour his legacy.

Inspired by Dan: Community Tributes That Echo His Spirit

Among the most remarkable responses was that of eight-year-old William Knox. Moved by Dan’s story, William took on his own climbing challenge—scaling Ben Nevis to raise funds in Dan’s memory. His efforts captured the hearts of many and raised over £2,500 for Martin House Children’s Hospice, demonstrating the ripple effect of Dan’s inspiration, even among those who had never met him. For William, it wasn’t about records or medals—it was about doing something meaningful, just like Dan did.

Across the Atlantic, the story reached SuperFly CrossFit in Lebanon, Ohio, USA. There, a community of members came together to complete a collective 17,417 step-ups—the equivalent of Mount Everest’s height in feet. Branded as the “Everest Challenge,” the workout served not only as a tribute to Dan but also as a demonstration of international unity and respect within the CrossFit community. The global outpouring was clear: Dan’s story transcended gym walls and national borders.

Back home in Wakefield, the memory of Dan continues to shape the culture of the gym he built. Wakefield CrossFit’s community remains grounded in his ethos—supportive, determined, and fiercely inclusive. The gym’s dedicated tribute page serves as a place to remember Dan’s achievements, his values, and the unique presence he brought to everything he did.

A Lasting Tribute from Wybone

At Wybone, we wanted to make a lasting contribution that reflected Dan’s values and passions. As a local manufacturer with long-standing ties to Wakefield, and with many of us knowing Dan personally through the gym or the wider community, we felt it was important to honour his memory in a way that would serve others—just as he always did.

We designed and donated a set of bespoke benches that double as flower planters. These were installed at Wakefield CrossFit earlier this year. Built using our in-house capabilities and colour-matched in blue, yellow, and white, the benches reflect the colours of Leeds United—Dan’s beloved football team. They’re more than seating: they are a quiet space for reflection, a visual nod to Dan’s loyalty and spirit, and a permanent fixture for the community he helped to create.

The benches represent the kind of legacy that lasts—not flashy, not fleeting, but useful, thoughtful, and grounded in care. That’s exactly how Dan lived.

It’s now a year since the world lost Dan Paterson, and yet his influence continues to grow. Through children climbing mountains in his honour, international CrossFit communities taking on Everest-themed challenges, and the local gym community pushing forward with his vision, Dan’s legacy is felt as strongly today as it was twelve months ago.

From all of us at Wybone, we pay our respects to Dan’s memory, to his family, and to the incredible community at Wakefield CrossFit. We’re proud to have played a small part in commemorating a man whose impact was anything but small.