Page 18 - Real Rochdale Issue 16 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.”
REAL ROCHDALE - WINTER 2022
skateboarders, BMXers, scooter riders and
Pictured: Ryan on his BMX
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
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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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,
RKT Trust has donated money to many local charities service, visit: www.papyrus-uk.org/hopelink/
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The charity has organised many different fundraising activities
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.”
Help and support
HOPELINEUK is Papyrus’ confidential helpline
service providing practical advice and support to
young people with thoughts of suicide and anyone
concerned about a young person who may have
thoughts of suicide.
HOPELINEUK is staffed by trained professionals,
offering a telephone, text and email service.
For practical, confidential suicide prevention help
and advice please contact PAPYRUS HOPELINEUK
on 0800 068 4141, text 07860 039967 or email
pat@papyrus-uk.org
For more details about the online HOPELINK
REAL ROCHDALE - WINTER 2022