Tributes following death of worker from Edinburgh-based charity in Tanzania

The 47 year old had returned for a jog.

Published 22nd Jul 2016

An Edinburgh based charity has been devastated by the sudden death of one of its volunteer workers Tanzania.

Ecological entrepreneur Iver Salvesen - from the Scottish Borders - had just returned from an early morning jog with a group of fellow volunteers when he suddenly collapsed and died on the way to hospital.

The 47 year old was on his first ever expedition with the The Vine Trust helping to construct homes for orphan children in the Moshi district of the African country.

Mr Salvesen ran an ecological construction business and hit the headlines three years ago when he built Scotland's first straw house for one of his workers at his 600-acre Muirhouse Farm near Stow, where he lived with his American wife Wendy and three children.

Vine Trust chief executive Willie McPherson said the charity was shocked at his passing describing Mr Salvesen as a "super fellow who was always keen to help."

He said:"While participating in a Vine Trust expedition to construct homes for orphan children in the Moshi district of Tanzania, Iver tragically took ill and died after an early morning jog with fellow volunteers on Monday, July 11.

"Iver with his background in construction and ecological techniques was part of the Trust's 100 homes programme and was keen to bring his expertise to hand to make it as successful as possible."

He added:"It is an absolute tragedy and we are all shocked by the tragic events."

A memorial service for Mr Salvesen will take place at St Mary's Parish Church in Haddington, East Lothian, next Friday (July 29th).

Donations from the service will go to The Vine Trust.