Nick Ryan: 21 JUNE 1955 – 14 JANUARY 09
This is Nick, he was a lovely man, kind and generous, fun loving and fit. Following recovery from a very serious motorcycle accident and long stay in Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham in June 06, his determination to get back to normality was portrayed an outstanding achievement. Even an ITV film crew followed him through this traumatic process and made a TV programme about him showing him leaving hospital and returning home.
A year or so later Nick began to experience symptoms which led us to believe he was suffering from post traumatic stress most unlike his character as he was a very down to earth man and extremely positive about life in general. Following a series of worrying events Nick was admitted to Burton Hospital in October 07 where he had a CT scan showing a tumour growing inside his brain. Nick was admitted to Nottingham Queens Medical Centre and underwent a biopsy the results of which gave us very bad news a Grade IV Glioma. Unfortunately we had been given the bad news in the hospital ward at the nurses station, looking at a computer, where his grandparents and his children were present. Not quite a suitable location for such shocking news.
Early January 08, Nick received radio and chemotherapy at the Q.E. in Birmingham a very intensive programme of 6 weeks of radiotherapy every morning (except weekends) with him getting up on cold and frosty mornings ready to go with a cup of coffee in his hand to start the day. Unfortunately Nick had to bear many side effects of treatment which impacted greatly on his personality, standard of health and mobility. However in his own way, he remained upbeat and ever determined to do what he wanted to do, even baking bread at 2 or 3 in the morning! His passion was his motorbike and he had owned three or four in his time but because of his illness he decided the last one had to go, this was particularly hard for him to deal with. His other passion was Italy and we spent many a good time with our two boys and friends holidaying and have very fond memories of this time.
Nick’s funeral was certainly a celebration of his life and the lovely comments we have received from friends and work colleagues make us feel very honoured that they thought so much of him both from a work point of view and as a man who was kind and generous.
Nick was a great guy and we all miss him terribly, I his wife, Chris, have been so lucky to have shared great times with him a total of 36 years and of course our two sons, Alec 22, and Sam 12 will have some of his characteristics and lots of happy memories too. We have a wonderful supportive family and are very lucky. This charity gives us a focus to do something positive, to help others and to find ways to fund research into finding a cure one day for this type of cancer. We know Nick would support what we are doing and endorse our efforts wholeheartedly.
ISLE OF MAN – June 2008
Nick as a keen motorcyclist always wanted to visit the Isle of Man TT Races. This became possible in June 08 – his good friends Jackie, Chris, Tony and Mick packed him up for a four day adventure. As one of Nick’s sister’s said to him afterwards, asking the question “Did you have a good time?” he replied, “No, … I had a FANTASTIC time”.
Unfortunately this was to be Nick’s last fun event as he ended up in hospital following a spinal fracture which he sustained whilst away and was admitted to hospital shortly after he returned home from this holiday and he then spent 3 weeks in hospital where he couldn’t move, then 12 weeks in St. Giles Hospice, Nr. Lichfield and then went to Aldridge Court Nursing Home to receive the much care and attention he needed until he passed away on 14th January 09.
FUNDRAISING
A huge thank you to everyone who has supported the Nick Ryan Fund. Your help really makes a difference and by working together we can achieve so much more.
Running for Nick’s Fund
Nick’s nephew, Martin Westwood, took on the challenge of taking part in the Timberhonger 10k in Bromsgrove this summer and managed to raise £142.00 through his physical efforts! Martin had been training for a couple of months leading up to the race and going out most evenings in order to do his very best on the big day. The day itself was a day of glorious sunshine but despite the challenges of the heat Martin finished in a very respectable time of 62.45 minutes. Well done that man!
Martin celebrating his running success with his Grandad and Gran
TWO BODY SHOP PARTIES
Saturday 8th November 2009
Chris, together with the help of friends Angie, Brett (who took the kitchen door off so we could pack more people in!), sister in law Caroline and cousin Claire, spent the afternoon preparing a buffet for a girlie Glitz and Glamour Party which took place at 4pm followed by a Body Shop Party at 6pm, which was full of fun and laughter. We raised £306! WELL DONE TO ALL. (Thanks also to a poorly son, Sam, who was upstairs in his bedroom bearing the noise and frivolity of the afternoon and evening)
Saturday 22nd October 2009
Nick’s mum Betty and sister Caroline held a Body Shop Party where friends, family and neighbours enjoyed a great afternoon with tea and cakes on offer. It was a chance to see a demonstration and all the lovely treats and gifts and an opportunity to buy early Christmas presents. We raised £140!
What a great way to fundraise. Thanks to all those who supported these two events, keeping Nick’s memory alive and fundraising for SDBTT. We have so many lovely friends who continue to support us in our efforts. THANK YOU!.
Saturday 26th September 2009 – Raffle Winner!
Nick’s sister, Teresa, raised £1,000.00 by organising a raffle with a superb single prize of one night’s accommodation – including dinner and breakfast – at the luxurious and hsitoric Cliveden Hotel in Berkshire. The prize was very generously donated by our friend, Mr Gary Cox, and the draw was held at the Hand and Flowers Pub in Maidenhead with the lucky winner being Mr Danny Curtin.
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- Denise, landlady of the Hand and Flowers Pub, presenting the prize voucher to lucky winner, Danny
Friday 18th September 2009 – Come Dine With Me
Chris had a few friends round from work for a 3 course meal – instead of going out they were happy to pay £10 each in return for a great social night and good food (hope they agree). It was a lovely evening and a chance to chatter and natter all night long! £70 was raised – a big thank you to all my lovely friends!
Monday 20th July – Afternoon Tea
Teresa’s best friend, Val, arranged this lovely event at her house in Maidenhead and raised £180.00 generously donated by people who did not know Teresa, Nick or the family. Fantastic!
Barn Dance – Friday 12th June 2009
What a great night this was – over 90 people attended Whittington Village Hall in Staffordshire. EVERYONE danced to the band Dandelion and Burdock, who worked hard and played well. I would like to say a big thank you to all those who helped me with the food and clearing up afterwards. Alec my eldest did a great job on the Bar (my first personal licence – phew what a responsibility) Sam also did a great job announcing the winning raffle tickets. Thanks also for the donations including a £200 donation from Nick’s colleagues and friends at Ratcliffe Upon Soar Power Station. Thanks also to Carol and Ruth who did us proud on the raffle and to Lloyds TSB matching funding scheme.
Appreciation and special thanks to all those who supported me on the night. The evening was a big success and we have raised over £1,000 for SDBTT and more money to come in!
Body Shop and Wine and Nibbles Evening
A Body Shop and Wine and Nibbles Eveningwas held on 22nd May at The Ryans house in Lichfield where friends and family gathered and were able to chat and enjoy a couple of glasses of wine in order to support the Trust through Nick. The evening was a great ladies night although one father in law was banished to the upstairs bedroom to spend an evening with a bottle of red wine and enjoy a film. There were no complaints. Generally guests left at about 10.30pm but family stayed up and chatted til 3am in the morning and finished off the oddments of wine of course.
The evening raised a sum of £128.95 being the amount of a small charge for wine and nibbles and 10% of the goods sold. A very enjoyable way of raising money no matter how small.
Easter – Raised over £30 for names out of hat for a very large Easter Egg!
April 18 – Coffee morning and white elephant stall– Nick’s Mum and Dad’s home, Stourport on Seven, Worcs. A brilliant successful fantastic morning over £500.00 raised.
Our first fundraising event…Tea and Cakes – 14th March 2009 
A great day, started at 3pm at our home in Lichfield, final guests left at 7pm – it was so busy we forgot to take photos of all the wonderful cakes family, friends and colleagues had brought us and ate, all of whom came to support us, 53 in all …so we gathered together those of us left and looking rather jaded, but still smiling reflecting upon the day. The photo shows me (Chris, Nick’s wife), our two boys Sam and Alec, Nick’s mum and dad, my mum and Angie (one of those really good friends)…. me showing the 53 signatures of gift aided donations we received on the day and raised a magnificent £282.00!