Games day tribute raises £3,350 in memory of Ross

The event was held in Banbridge games café Roast & Roll on Sunday, September 8.

Ross, who was formerly of Donaghcloney, passed away a year ago following a brave battle with brain cancer. He was just 37.

The dad-of-one was a board game buff and his friend, Niall Kissick, organised the gaming get-together to raise funds for two charities which supported Ross, his wife Sarah and their daughter Freyja-Rose; Brainwaves NI and Cancer Fund for Children.

Niall said the café was a “buzz of activity” for the duration of the event.

“The games day went above and beyond my expectations,” Niall enthused.

“From the folk I was talking to and online responses to invites, I was expecting around 20 - and over 50 turned up.

“I just know Ross would have been in his absolute element, the atmosphere was so relaxed and it was great to have a few kids enjoying themselves there as well.

“I am over the moon with the totals raised. We managed to raise over £1,000 on tickets, raffles and general donations on the day.

“We were very kindly donated to by the group Ross and I set up to the tune of £2,000, so I was delighted to make donations to Brainwaves NI and Cancer Fund for Children of over £1,500.”

Ross is fondly remembered in the gaming community, so much so that the ‘Ross Burton Memorial Games Day’ is set to become an annual event.

“Aaron and Harry at the café have asked if I would be happy to make it an annual event and I have agreed to this,” Niall added.

“I was chatting to Ross’s wife Sarah during and after the event and she just kept saying how much Ross would have loved the relaxed, easy going atmosphere.

“It was an emotional day and when I have fully recovered I will make an announcement about future Ross Burton Memorial Games Days.

“I would like to send sincere thanks to Hachette Board Games, who so generously provided over 40 copies of the game Pearladora for event attendees to enjoy.

“My thanks also goes to Dranda Games, Alley Cat Games, Leder Games, Big Potato Games, Corvus Belli and IV Studios for providing prizes for the raffle, and I know from speaking to the winners they are delighted with their prizes.

“Special thanks also must go to Harry and Aaron at Roast & Roll, especially Harry who was scheduled to have a day off but very quickly got his game face on to man the coffee machine, as the orders were coming in thick and fast all day!

“I couldn’t have asked for a better venue and hosts.”

The JustGiving page is still open for anyone who wasn’t able to attend and would like to contribute to these two great causes: https://www.justgiving.com/page/rossburtonmemorialgamesday