Ria Melvin, the inspiration for our Fundraising Group Raising4Ria, passed away two years ago on 5th August and, to honour the anniversary, her mum Carol held a fundraising event on Sunday 13th August.
Ria was diagnosed with a glioblastoma (GBM) brain tumour aged 23 in December 2021 and underwent brain surgery twice, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy treatment in Germany, but nothing could save her. During her brain tumour journey, Ria carried out selfless work, campaigning and raising awareness as well as fundraising for better outcomes for patients with the disease. Raising4Ria is continuing her legacy and has incredibly raised more than £112,000 to date in her memory.
A swimming instructor for 22 years at her local leisure centre, Carol decided to give her ‘ladies’ a fundraising challenge while giving herself something positive to focus on at this difficult time of year.
Carol said: “After football, Ria’s second passion was swimming – she and her sister Kaz both learned to swim by the time they were 18 months old.
“Ria loved coming with me to my lessons and would often swim with my ladies before and after her diagnosis with an incurable GBM. She would show them how to do tumble turns and dives and they always said she was like a mermaid and so graceful in the water.”
The event was a great success with advanced swimmers challenging themselves to complete anything from 20 lengths of the pool to 128 lengths (the equivalent of one mile) or intermediate swimmers completing 64 lengths in a team relay.
More than £5,500 was raised, with donations still coming in. To add yours click here.