Winter 2022£100k donated by RKT Trust

After nine years of work in the local community, Newhey charity The RKT Trust Fund has donated over £100,000 to other local charities and good causes.

The RKT Trust Fund was formed following the tragic death of 19-year-old Ryan Kristian Taylor, who took his own life in October 2012.

An apprentice mechanical engineer, Ryan was an extremely popular young man loved by family and his many friends, with a passion for sports – in particular, BMX biking – and an active social life. Ryan enjoyed playing cricket at Milnrow Cricket Club, where he also worked as a glass collector, barman and playing football at the former Milnrow Soccer Village.

His parents Diane and Kenny describe him as “always having a smile on his face” and a “thrillseeker” whilst other trustees of the charity say Ryan was “the one his friends would go to with a problem.”

“He was such a bubbly person,” Diane said. “We had the best relationship and he would talk to me about anything. Ryan never shared any thoughts on ending his life, he didn’t say anything. He didn’t talk to anyone about it and we don’t know why.

“He was so open and friendly, he got on with everyone and had been brought up to communicate with people of all ages.”

The RKT Trust Fund committee is comprised of Diane Taylor, Rebecca Owen, Lynne Higgins, Neil Shelmerdine, Donna Williamson, Karen Clancy, Dan Blair and Pete Thomas with core volunteers including Kenny Taylor, Helen and Kenny Smith, and Liz Shelmerdine.

The fund originally set out to raise money in the 12 months following Ryan’s death – starting when the family asked for donations to charity in lieu of flowers.

It was only fitting that the RKT Trust Fund’s first project came in supporting the Friends of Milnrow Park in building a BMX and skate park for young people in the area – a long-time dream of Ryan’s.

In 2007, he wrote a letter to Rochdale Council asking for a skate park to be built in the area – which came to fruition in 2013.

With the backing of ward councillors and the input of young people from Hollingworth Business and Enterprise College and Newhey Community Primary School, the skate park was built in Milnrow Memorial Park, giving skateboarders, BMXers, scooter riders and mini skaters a space just for them.

Since then, the trust fund has given over £100,000 back into the local community through fundraiser events like the annual T20 cricket match in Ryan’s honour, various sponsored sporting events, Milnrow’s Got Talent, casino nights, golf days, comedy nights and individual donations. It aims to raise as much as possible for young people who are, in their words, “less fortunate than Ryan.”

“We wanted to have a positive impact and raise money for young people’s charities and projects in the north west,” trustees Rebecca Owen and Lynne Higgins said. “The T20 was one of our earliest events.”

Some other projects that have stemmed from Ryan’s legacy include the children’s play area at Milnrow Cricket Club, along with Ryan’s Den at Rochdale Children’s Moorland Home, one of the trust’s main beneficiaries.

The Rochdale Children’s Moorland Home provides holidays for less fortunate children who may not otherwise have one. To date, RKT has donated £27,000 to the charity, which provides the welcome breaks between April and October.

Other beneficiaries have included the Friends of Milnrow Park, Milnrow Cricket Club, Milnrow Preschool, Trewan Sands, Petrus, Jolly Josh, Papyrus Prevention of Young Suicide, the Red Cross, Positive Steps, Milnrow girl guides, a Morris dancing troupe and many other local football and rugby teams.

“We couldn’t do it without the volunteers we always rely on, and the local businesses in the local area which have sponsored us over the years, donated prizes and made monetary donations,” Diane said.

Rebecca and Lynne agreed, saying: “Ryan will never be forgotten, we constantly talk about him between our close friends and family. We make sure we still remember what a fantastic person he was.”

Diane added: “So many people have helped and done so much, and myself Kenny and Alex along with all the committee would like to thank everyone for their generosity and support because they’ve all played a massive part.”

Donations can be made to the RKT Trust using the following bank details:

Sort code: 05-02-77
Account number: 20659023

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