MEMORIAL FUND TOPS £12K
Well respected family man:
A FUND set up in memory of an Anglesey man who was killed outside a Bangor nightclub has raised over £12,000 in just over six weeks.
27 year old father of two, Eskinumo Ayabowei, was found unconscious outside Peep in Bangor following reports of an assault in the early hours of April 1. He died in hospital the following day.
Kieren Terence Roberts, 26, of Penrhyn Avenue, Maesgeirchen, near Bangor, has appeared in court accused of his murder.
Almost immediately, a series of fundraisers were organised on Anglesey, Bangor and beyond to support his partner, Melicia, and his daughters during this difficult time.
The football community, with Henry having turned out for many local clubs, has been especially active with a number of clubs including Llanfairpwll, Llangefni and Trearddur Bay, donating some of their gate receipts towards the fundraising effforts.
Eleri Dennis, a friend of Henry’s partner, Melicia, set up an online crowdfunding page just a day after his passing.
She said: “The initial target was £1,000, which I thought was too optimistic to be honest. But that goal was reached within just 30 minutes. To keep having to reset these targets and watching them being smashed time and time again was surreal.
“Reaching a total of £12,175 was absolutely phenomenal. I’d like to thank everyone who has shown their support to Melicia and the family at this very sad time.”
A series of fundraisers are still to be held, however, including on Saturday, when former teammates and fellow students will take part in a memorial match at Bangor City FC featuring the current Bangor University Football Club playing against an ‘ Old Boys Classic XI.’ Kick off is at 2pm.
The next day will see a memorial seven-a-side tournament at Gaerwen FC, which will also include a family fun day, starting at 10am. Anyone who can help out or who wishes to enter a team for the tournament, should contact Mathew Thomas on 07452 831411.
Eleri went on to say: “During a col- lection held at Peep nightclub, I saw just how much Henry was loved, by the sheer volume of colleagues and friends coming up to me.
“Many shared their stories and memories of Henry. No one had a bad word to say about him, it was all love. So many people have shown incredible support with endless generous donations, words of sympathy, texts and phone calls.
“Having spoken to them, I can’t wholly express how truly grateful Melicia and the family are to everyone and how overwhelmed they’ve been by the response and support that has been shown.
“I understand that nothing can ever replace what this little family have lost. What the local community and region has shown is that there is still a huge amount of love in this world.”