A group of young women, all of whom played for Loughborough University’s first football team as students, has taken on a challenge to summit Snowdon, the highest peak in Wales. Their epic challenge marked four years without their fellow footballer friend, lost to a brain tumour this week in 2021.
Ria Melvin (pictured below), who was awarded a first-class BSc Hons in business and sport management, passed away, aged 25, from an incurable glioblastoma, after campaigning with and fundraising for the Charity while undergoing treatment.
Joining the group of 13 Loughborough graduates were Ria’s mum Carol, as well as a bereaved dad who lost his 27-year-old son, in December last year, also to a brain tumour. Paul’s son, Ryan Hughes, left behind a wife and three-year-old daughter.
The challenge to conquer Snowdon, in memory of Ria and Ryan, raised almost £4,000 for the Fundraising Group Raising4Ria, boosting its remarkable total of more than £140,000 raised to date.
Carol (pictured below, left) said: “Life seems to be getting harder as the years go by without Ria. She is missing out on so much and would have loved that the Lionesses won the Euros again!”
University friend Sofie Armitage (above right) said: “We were lucky to have some beautiful views during the climb and very much enjoyed our weekend together renting an Airbnb in Anglesey, with lots of opportunities to catch up with each other, as well as share treasured memories of Ria.”
To add a donation in memory of Ria or Ryan, go to www.justgiving.com/page/raisingforriaandryan
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