#StayStrongStu
Stu Ridley is a 25 year old farmer from Northumberland whose life is centered on rugby, farming, family and friends.The youngest of three rugbyplaying brothers, he grew up in West Northumberland where he attended Haydon Bridge High School. Stu is an exceptional ‘personality’ and his attitude in the face of a life-threatening illness is testimony to his drive and determination, backed up by a very positive approach to people and life!
Stu has played rugby since his early years at Tynedale RFC, a ‘traditional’ amateur National One (third tier of English rugby) side who mainly face semi-professional clubs the length and breadth of England.
Present internationals such as Kieron Brooks (England) and Tim Visser (Scotland), previously played for Tynedale, plus past internationals such as Epi Taione (Tonga).
Graduating from the Colts as a scrum-half, Stu played with the club’s third team (Grasshoppers), second team (Raiders) and this season has played First XV rugby at Inside Centre and Wing. His preferred position is 12.
Last month, Stu was planning a trip to Thailand with three other Tynedale boys. A few days before he was due to leave, Stu went into Town for a few beers. As the night progressed, he began to feel unwell and left early (which is very unlike him).
After the usual tests in hospital, it was found that he has a brain tumour. The tumour is in a position where doctors are unable to operate. Further tests were done and Stu posted this on his Facebook page on the 19th February:
“More bad news I’m afraid folks, the results of the biopsy have shown a particularly aggressive type of tumour which has spread to a couple of other spots as well as a bit on the surface of the brain! I start radio then chemotherapy in the next couple of weeks to try and slow it down however it isn’t curable at the moment and I’ve been given roughly six months but everyone is different and I’m far from beaten yet! Thanks again for all the support that’s been given it’s been unbelievable and really does mean the world to myself and my family! Sorry to drop this on you people but people need to know what’s happening! Hope to see you all soon and take care, much love x” (Source; Stu Ridley, Facebook, 19th February)
The Charities
The Brain Tumour Charity is at the forefront of the fight to defeat brain tumours and is the only national charity making a difference every day to the lives of people with a brain tumour. They fund pioneering research, raise awareness of the symptoms and effects of brain tumours and provide support.
For more information: www.thebraintumourcharity.org, email: fundraising@thebraintumourcharity.org
Wooden Spoon is the UK’s leading grant-making charity dedicated to helping disabled and disadvantaged children and young people through rugby. Since they began in 1983, they have been dedicated to making a difference to the lives of the estimated 800,00 disabled children and 1 million NEETS in the UK today. Email: charity@woodenspoon.com
#StayStrongStu – Aims and Targets
The Aim of this Appeal is jointly to raise awareness of Brain Tumours and to empower our communities to help fight such an illness – whilst also providing practical support to Stu.
In order to achieve this we have set certain targets:
+ Raise £50,000
+ Recruit 5,000 followers on the StayStrongStu
+ Spread the #StayStrongStu message by photographing the shirts in a minimum of 100 different countries
+ Unite Communities together and celebrate this through a fundraising rugby game and social event attracting 2000 people
+ Sell 1000 #StayStrongStu T shirts
Like 'StayStrongStu' on Facebook HERE.
Follow @StayStrongStu on Twitter HERE.
Donate to the #StayStrongStu campaign HERE.
