Nick Ryan
21st June 1955 – 14th January 2009
Nick was a lovely family 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 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 Queen’s 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 parents 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 from his treatment, impacting on both his health and his personality. His mobility, speech sight and hearing all deteriorated. However, in his own way, he was upbeat and ever determined to do what he wanted to do, even baking bread at 2 or 3 in the morning! He had a particular passion for motorbikes, and owned three or four in his time; however due to his illness he decided the last one had to go, a very hard moment for him to deal with.
Nick’s funeral was certainly a celebration of his life and the lovely comments we received from friends and work colleagues made 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 in time, lots of happy memories too. We have a wonderful supportive family and are very lucky. SDBTT gives us a focus to do something positive, to help others and hopefully will find a way through its research, one day, to finding a cure, thus helping someone like Nick who had to endure a lot of suffering from this dreadful disease. 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 sisters asked him afterwards, “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, followed by admission to a nursing home to receive the care and attention he so needed until sadly he passed away on 14th January 09.
2010 FUNDRAISING EVENTS
APRIL – Comedy Show and Music Night – Whittington, near Lichfield
130 guests attended a superb night of entertainment – produced by my good friend Ann Rowland and her team. Comedy sketches and music entertained us all. We won’t mention the shortage of 27 meals half an hour before the show started. Thanks to Liz and Brett, especially for shopping at speed, and the rest of the gang who worked hard in the kitchen to produce the additional 27 plates of food.
Raised approx £1500
MAY – Betty and Frank’s Tea Party (Nick’s mum and dad) in Stourport on Severn, Worcs.
Fantastic tea party with bring and buy.
Raised approx £300
JUNE – Barn Dance – Whittington near Lichfield
My brother John and brother in law Mick .... any excuse to dress up!
Back by popular demand, we had a fabulous time dancing to the The Burdock Band who were as good as last year and the food was excellent. Thanks again to family and friends for supplying and helping with the food. The Real Ale, of course, was as popular as ever – especially on a hot night.
Raised £727.50
Even the men enjoyed dancing!
JULY – LICHFIELD LADIES CIRCLE – CHEQUE PRESENTATION
This is Sam and I being presented with a cheque following a successful bid for a donation from the Lichfield Ladies Circle, along with others from RSPCA, Stroke Association, Hearing Dogs for the Deaf and Women for Women.
Cheque received £215.00
NOVEMBER – Come Dine with Me
An evening full of fun and good food – a meal for eight was a great success and…there was no rummaging through drawers… very polite guests!
Raised £90
Christmas Body Shop Party
I hosted an evening at home in Lichfield, where friends and neighbours were invited to try lots of products and have a real girly time – great night – lots of Christmas treats to try and buy.
Raised £135
DECEMBER – Collection Boxes
A big thanks to Mum & Dad Ryan, Teresa and Caroline Ryan and my nieces and nephews who gave up their small change, saving a grand total of £71.50 in SDBTT boxes
2011 FUNDRAISING EVENTS
MARCH 29TH, 2011 – MASS LOBBY to PARLIAMENT by SDBTT and other Brain Tumour Charities.
A number of fundraisers and supporters connected with SDBTT attended Parliament to meet their MP’s to lobby a draft manifesto and to raise awareness of the need for recognition and matched funding for brain tumours.
Myself with Michael Fabricant, MP for Lichfield at House of Parliament, Westminster.
APRIL 2011 – LICHFIELD MERCURY EDITORIAL
My friend and work colleague Gillian Hastings volunteered to run the London Marathon for SDBTT, in memory of Nick. She must have been mad! She had only recently taken up running and was receiving lots of training from her dear husband Terry. Both belong to Aldridge Running Club. She was unfortunately recovering from a chest infection at the time of the marathon and still managed to complete several gruelling runs with Terry at her side in order to complete her training. Gill although not well decided to go ahead with the marathon and finished with a good time. Medal well deserved.
WELL DONE GILL and to all those generous supporters for raising approx £1,000 – fantastic!
APRIL – Tea Party and Bring and Buy Sale
Nick’s sister Caroline held this event, for which they were very lucky with the weather, so everyone could sit outside enjoying cups of tea and a variety of cakes.
Raised £170
12th November 2011 – BODY SHOP PARTY – 6 Pembroke Way Stourport on Severn
(Nick’s mum Betty and sister Caroline)
Betty and Caroline held a very successful Body Shop Party in November, with a raffle and numbers competition. Everyone had a fab time and bagged some great Christmas presents while enjoying a relaxing cup of tea and a cake! This great event raised £245.
Friday 25th November 2011 – BARN DANCE
Plans are nearly complete for a Ho Down for a 3rd Annual Barn Dance – following lots of requests from previous attendees and of course for provision of a barrel of real ale. Got to be worth coming along to a great fun event.
