Friends and colleagues of a well-respected yachtsman who died last year while preparing for a race will tackle a marathon feat in his memory.

Eastern Daily Press: From left to right, Nicky Glazier, Rob Allen, Jay McLelland-Player, Sion Stansfield, Pete Trapnell, Rob Murrell and James Barnes. They will be part of the group taking part in the London to Paris cycle ride, followed by the Paris Marathon, in memory of Tom Gentle, a keen sailor who died last year. Picture: SubmittedFrom left to right, Nicky Glazier, Rob Allen, Jay McLelland-Player, Sion Stansfield, Pete Trapnell, Rob Murrell and James Barnes. They will be part of the group taking part in the London to Paris cycle ride, followed by the Paris Marathon, in memory of Tom Gentle, a keen sailor who died last year. Picture: Submitted (Image: Copyright 2016. All rights reserved.)

Tom Gentle, described as a 'respected sailor', was due to take part in the 40th Yare Navigation Race last September when he was killed by a falling yacht mast while in Wroxham.

Tributes poured in for the 56-year-old, with fundraisers planned and a memorial trophy for a river cruise event donated in his memory by his family.

Now, colleagues at his TRO events workplace are preparing to face two arduous fundraisers at the start of next month in aid of worthy causes.

Leaving at the start of April, a group will tackle the 285-mile journey from London to Paris by bike, in less than 24 hours, while on Sunday, April 3, others will then take on the Paris Marathon.

Eastern Daily Press: Tom Gentle, pictured earlier this year.Tom Gentle, pictured earlier this year. (Image: Leo Wilkinson Photography)

While some plan to run and others cycle, a hardy handful will be taking on both.

The group described Mr Gentle as a 'mentor, leader, colleague, friend - a shining example of how far you can go with a positive attitude and plenty of hard work'.

Jay McLelland-Player, who will be running, said: 'As well as being a keen sailor, Tom loved getting out on his bike and taking on these sorts of challenges. We thought this would be a fitting way to pay tribute to such a great colleague and friend.'

So far, the 12-strong group has raised almost £3,500 and hopes to top the £5,000 mark. The cash will be split between the East Anglian Air Ambulance, which was called to help Mr Gentle, and the Jubilee Sailing Trust, which promotes equality in sailing.

The group is made up of Sion Stansfield, James Barnes, Gary Wootton, Rob Murrell, George Bentley, Rob Allen, Nicky Morgan, Sarah Mayo, Peter Trapnell, Tim Jolliffe, Nick Glazier and Mr McLelland-Player.

TRO has offices all over the world, including at Burton Road Business Park in Norwich and Gateway 11 Business Park in Wymondham.

If you would like to donate, visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/L2P4TGDo you know of someone taking on a fundraiser we should be writing about? Email reporter Lauren Cope on lauren.cope@archant.co.uk