Memorial to popular wrestler Lionheart
A poignant tribute to a much-loved professional wrestler has been unveiled in his honour.
Adrian McCallum, 36, known between the ropes as Scots grappling star Lionheart, tragically took his own life two years ago.
Now friends and family have unveiled a moving tribute at Ayrshire College, where Adrian was a former student. He remained a close friend to the sport and fitness department as he embarked on his successful wrestling career.
The Ayr star was one of the first celebrities to give his backing to the college’s mental health awareness campaign #PassingPositivity when the campaign was established by students in 2019. Adrian passed later that year and college students and staff paid their respects by taking part in a charity ‘Walk 4 Lionheart’ in 2020.
Now - during men’s health week and to mark the second anniversary of Adrian’s death - they have placed a permanent tribute at the
wellbeing area of the Kilmarnock campus. Pupils who are on a school-college course in joinery at Ayrshire College carved the bench, which was unveiled by former sport and fitness student Ross Munro. Ross is a full-time wheelchair user who has Duchenne muscular
dystrophy, and last year he got out of his wheelchair for the first time in four years to walk 16 metres - from his bedroom to his living room - for the ‘Walk 4 Lionheart’.
Adrian’s family, including parents Margaret and Eddie, and friends from the wrestling world
and beyond, attended the college on Friday to pay their respects at the bench. There is also a planter and plinth with a message that is significant to Adrian and others: ‘Don’t Forget Who You Are, Believe.’
Among those in attendance was Insane Championship Wrestling (ICW) heavyweight champion Jack Jester who later tweeted: “Lovely day through at Ayrshire College unveiling a bench in memory of Adrian “Lionheart” McCallum.
“This time of year is always tough but it’s great to be able to celebrate his life and everything he achieved in a place that meant so much to him.”
Comedian, WestFM breakfast show host and wrestling announcer Billy Kirkwood also wrote: “An honour to be invited along to the unveiling of the Lionheart bench at Ayrshire College in Kilmarnock.
“Put together as part of the #PassingPositivity campaign.
“The bench will be there 24/7 as a safe place to visit, gather your thoughts or chat as part of your mental health check for not only the students at the college but for anyone needing that time out. Please do visit, I know I will. A wonderful tribute by friends, family, the team at ICW and all that attended.”
Thanks went to JW Grant for supplying the memorial bench materials free of charge.