Plans in place for third Ricky charity event

Family and friends of Ricky, who died suddenly in August 2007 at the age of the age of 31, have come together again to organise the Ricky Beattie Charity Shield football tournament on the Sunday nearest to his birthday on July 20.

This year there will also be ladies ‘15 minutes-each-way’ match and a children’s sports day featuring a number of different activities. Proceeds will be in aid of Muscular Dystrophy.

Ricky’s mother Hilary said she was hoping the now annual event would be another runaway success, with the two previous charity days having raised in excess of 10,000 between them for local drug and alcohol projects.

“Ricky really loved his football and had played for Banbridge Town and Dromara football teams, so we thought this would be a fitting way to remember him and at the same time raise money for good causes,” she said. “It is really hard at this time of year, coming up to the anniversary of his death, but this memorial event is very important to us and we appreciate all the tremendous support and kind donations we have received fro people throughout the district.

“We hope as many people as possible will take part again this year and anyone who would like to find out more should contact any of the four team captains - Christian Beattie (07917166379), Ryan Beattie (07864316257), Neil Beck (07711832536) or Alan Evans (07533285865).”

Ricky was well known in local sporting circles, having played briefly for Banbridge Town and also Banbridge Thistle and Banbridge Crusaders and he was also known as a bit of character off the sports pitch, thanks to a big personality and big sense of humour to match.

He had a network of many friends and a year after his tragic death, one of that closely-knit circle, Ally Evans, took part in the Belfast Marathon and raised over 500 for the DAWN (Drugs Awareness and Neighbourhoods) project - one of the charities which benefitted to the tune of 5,000 in the inaugural Ricky Beattie Charity Shield memorial tournament.

In the end, the marathon challenge turned into something of a feat of endurance for Ally, who sustained a debilitating knee strain around the 11-mile mark, while not even half-way into the run.

“But, with his usual determination, Ally told me he just looked up at the sky, thought of Ricky and said he was not going to let him down,” said Hilary. “The knee injury was so painful, he ended up sort of limping over the finishing line, but that sort of attitude is typical of Ricky’s friends who will all be there to support this third fund-raising event at Banbridge Leisure Centre.”

Ricky was the much-loved father of Rachel (5), son of Hilary and Roy from Primrose Gardens, Banbridge, and brother of Christian, Ryan, Catrena and Carla.