21/02/2026
It is with great sadness that we share that Chris Griffin died suddenly, aged 67, on Sunday 15th February following a suspected heart attack.
Chris first came on the Walrus Cruise at around 15 years old, encouraged by a residential tutor at his school, Dulwich College — a certain Tim Millward. From those early days began what became a lifelong love of sailing and the Walrus Cruise. Over the decades he served the Cruise faithfully, both as a Skipper and in leading our spiritual programmes.
When the Walrus Cruise became an independent charity in 1995, Chris was appointed as a Trustee and had served in that role ever since. Together with his wife Sally, he showed great generosity and hospitality in hosting our annual Leaders’ Meetings. Indeed, it was just a few hours after this year’s very successful meeting that he collapsed.
On a personal note, it has been a particular joy each year to stay with Chris and Sally in Clevedon, often arriving with a car full of enthusiastic young people on their way to a Cruise. Chris had a deep and steadfast faith, and a gentle yet passionate desire to share it with others. He was a constant encouragement to those around him.
We are profoundly grateful for his service, leadership and support of the Walrus Cruise over so many decades.
His funeral will take place at 1:30pm on Thursday 26th March at Christchurch Church, Chapel Hill, Clevedon BS21 7LL, with refreshments at the church afterwards for those who are able to stay.
Our love and prayers are with Sally at this time.
Chris will be sorely missed by us all.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you"
1 Peter 1: 3-4
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Rich Jackson
(Commodore of The Walrus Cruise)
