Tributes have been paid to a much-loved father-of-three and President of Southport Rugby Football Club, Graham Ellis, who died on Monday, aged 64.
Graham played a huge role in the successful redevelopment of the rugby club, and was famous for proudly wearing his colourful club ties, club colours waistcoat, and his panama hat. Always very welcoming, he had a positive outlook on life, and had a huge love of the game and loved to see young players progress through their age groups and into the first XV.
He was a successful chartered surveyor who worked on projects all over the country.
Tomorrow, he was due to appear at Southport Rugby Football Club on Waterloo Road to officially launch The Ellis Expedition, a virtual challenge which will see members of all ages at the club run, cycle and walk for a total of 16,000km – the equivalent of Southport to the South Pole – to raise money for the Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals Charity.
A rugby club statement said: “It is with great sadness we report the passing of Club President, Mr Graham Ellis.
“Graham passed on the afternoon of the 29th of June 2020 after a prolonged period of illness. “We will remember Graham as the Gentleman of Southport Rugby Club who has been at the forefront of club success for a number of years.
“Our thoughts and all of our love go out to wife, Anne and his three children Jack, Megan and Hugh. RIP Graham”
Read More: Southport Rugby Club icon Graham Ellis launches South Pole expedition to raise money for NHS
Members of the club and people who knew Graham are now preparing to take on the Ellis Challenge in his memory.
Speaking last week, Graham said: “Steve Olive, the former president, phoned me and said ‘I would like to put something to you’. He said ‘we would like to do this 16,000km expedition and dedicate it in your name’.
“I said I am absolutely honoured. It will be my swansong.
“The focus will be to help the NHS.
“The NHS has saved my life twice now, by seconds.
“They have fought for me and fought for me, and their care for me has been fantastic.
“I cannot fault the doctors, the nurses, for their dedication, their humour, their skill.
“I know there are a lot of people at Southport Rugby Football Club too who work for the NHS or have been helped by the NHS so this challenge to raise money for the Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals Charity means a lot to all of us.”
How to get involved:
Step One: Download Strava
Step Two: Join our group (https://www.strava.com/clubs/Southport-RFC)
Step Three: Sign up to the challenge (https://www.challengehound.com/…/6f1cd4b0-b089-11ea-b34a-b1…)
Step Four: Connect with Strava
Step Five: Run, Walk, Cycle…
Remember to donate! (https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/southport-rfc)
For more details about The Ellis Expedition please visit: www.pitchero.com/clubs/southportrugbyunionfootballclub/ or email Colin Toohey at: [email protected] or follow the Southport RFC page on Facebook.
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