A MEMORIAL service for the son of a former vice lord lieutenant of East Lothian is held in Haddington tomorrow (Friday).

Iver Salvesen, son of Robin and Sari Salvesen, of Eaglescairnie House, between Bolton and Gifford, passed away on July 11 while carrying out voluntary work in Tanzania.

The 47-year-old former pupil at Haddington’s Compass School had just returned from an early-morning jog with a group of fellow volunteers when he collapsed. He later died on his way to hospital.

Iver’s brother Tom described his younger brother: “He was one of those slightly larger than life characters who was very into making sure that people got involved, got active and made things happen.

“That was the style of character he was.

“He was quite social and enjoyed having a smile on his face and other people having a smile on their face.”

Iver, who attended the University of St Andrews, was one of seven children, along with brothers Tom and Francis and sisters Ferelith, Alice, Tibi and Emily.

He was married to Wendy and a dad of three to Oscar, Iona and Henry and lived in Stow, in the Scottish Borders.

Tom thanked the Vine Trust for their support and help during the difficult time.

The ecological entrepreneur had flown out to Tanzania less than a week before his death with other volunteers from the Edinburgh-based Vine Trust to build homes for orphans.

Willie McPherson, Vine Trust chief executive, said the charity was shocked at his death, describing Mr Salvesen as a “super fellow who was keen to help”.

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

“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. It is an absolute tragedy and we are all shocked by the tragic events.”

Ecofitter, the firm which Mr Salvesen set up and which he represented at this year’s Haddington Show, published a statement on its Facebook page, saying: “Very suddenly, while carrying out voluntary work in Tanzania, Iver Salvesen – the heart of Ecofitter – passed away. He will be sadly missed by many.”

Donations at the memorial service – being held at 3pm at St Mary’s Parish Church, Haddington and which follows a private cremation –will go to The Vine Trust.

An online page in memory of Mr Salvesen, on The Vine Trust website, has already raised more than £500.

with an online donations page h already set up having collected more than £500.