Family and friends of a popular Angus teenager have made a generous Ninewells Hospital donation in his memory.
More than £2,000 was presented to the hospital’s intensive care unit, where Ryan Simpson was cared for after an A90 car accident at the beginning of this year.
Tragically, the keen young footballer lost his fight for life but the care of the ICU staff has been recognised through the presentation of a £2,449 cheque in an emotional handover by his mother Jacquie and aunt Lisa Brown.
The funds were raised from donations made at Ryan’s funeral and through a family fun day organised by the 18-year-old’s older sister, Megan, which included a bouncy castle, barbecue and charity football match.
Jacquie said: “We wanted to say thank you to the staff at the ICU for all of their hard work and care.
“Megan put a lot of effort into organising the fun day which was very well attended and we hope to make it an annual event. The sun was shining and we felt Ryan was looking down on us.”
Some of the money raised has been used to buy a coffee machine for the ward.
Specialist charge nurse Aline Ramsay said: “We are very grateful to Ryan’s family and friends for their efforts and this generous donation.
“The coffee machine is a welcome addition to the ward and I’m sure it will be well used. We especially appreciate that they have thought of others during what has been a very difficult time for their family.”
Hundreds of mourners packed Forfar’s East and Old Church for the funeral of the much loved Letham Lads Club player. Ryan had attended Forfar Academy and Angus College before going on to work with Scot Steel on the outskirts of the town.
Ten of Ryan’s closest friends paid a special tribute to their pal by having his name and a heart tattooed on their right shoulder prior to saying a final farewell as he was laid to rest. Ryan’s father, Dave, then got a similar tattoo to become what he said was the “11th player in Ryan’s dream team”.