A FUNDRAISING night has been organised in memory of a university student in Sheffield who contracted meningitis and died.
Ryan Sweatman, aged 19, was studying sport coaching at Sheffield Hallam University when he fell ill and died in his sleep in his hall of residence.
His death was a double blow to his devastated parents who had already lost another son, Joe, to meningitis.
The Sports Development and Coaching student, who had hopes of becoming a teacher, died in January last year and in the space of 12 months friends and relatives have raised over £26,000 for the Meningitis Research Foundation in his memory.
To boost the money raised, university friends are now planning an event at Babylon nightclub on Carver Street, on February 4, where tickets will cost £4 on the door or £3.50 in advance, with all proceeds to the meningitis charity.
The event - Blast From The Past - will feature music from the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s.
Christopher Andrews, who is organising the event with Ryan’s friends David Barclay, Reece Brown, Robbie Anvill and Angus Quinton, said: “I met Ryan in my first year at uni and his death came as a huge shock to lots of people.
“His family and friends from Sheffield and in his home town of Norwich have done an amazing job of raising over £26,000 so far, and this is another event in the hope something good can come from something so tragic.”
Chris Head, chief executive of the Meningitis Research Foundation, said: “We are so grateful to Christopher for organising this event in memory of Ryan and hopefully the night will raise much needed funds for our work.
“Meningitis and septicaemia can affect people of all ages, striking in minutes and sometimes killing in hours.
“Since the family set up Ryan’s Remembrance Fund they have raised a staggering £26,095.
“That money has allowed us to continue our vital research into the prevention, detection and treatment of the diseases and provide support to those who have lost a loved one or face a lifetime of serious disabilities.”
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