Crowdfunder Campaign Launched By Friends & Team Mates Of Wrexham DSA Player

A crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for the family of a Wrexham DSA Football Club player who sadly died over the weekend has been launched.

Rick Williams, 31, died after collapsing at Ty Mawr Country Park on Sunday afternoon, after swimming in the River Dee.

Described as a ‘valued member of our team on and off the pitch’, Rick was a goalkeeper for Wrexham DSA Football Club and on Saturday had assisted with a bag packing fundraiser at Asda.

A statement posted by Wrexham DSA on Sunday evening, reads: “Wrexham Disability Football Club were given the shocking news that one of our players Rick Williams has passed away. Rick, who was one of our goalkeepers, was a great example of not letting his learning disability get in the way of his everyday life.

“On Sunday, Rick went out to Ty Mawr with his friends and project leader Wayne Greenshields who was Rick’s best friend. He sadly collapsed at the side of the River Dee after swimming across. Although members of the public and friends tried to resuscitate Rick it wasn’t to be.

“Only on Saturday he helped the club do a bag packing fundraiser at Asda to raise vital funds. He was a valued member of our team on and off the pitch.

“We are absolutely devastated at Wrexham Disability FC. We’re one big family and Rick will be sadly missed by all.”

Now members of Wrexham DSA FC have joined together to launch a crowdfunding campaign to support Rick’s loved ones and give him ‘the best send-off’.

The crowdfunding campaign page states: “As a club, Wrexham Disability Football Club have been overwhelmed by the support of the Wrexham community and the requests off a number of individuals, and sadly finance is a problem at this difficult time so we have decided to set up a just giving page to support the loved ones of Richard.

“Funds will go a long way towards the difficult weeks ahead and tragic costs that need to be covered at this most upsetting and unexpected time. As a club we would like to support the family as much as we possibly can and would like to give Richard the best send off.

At the time of writing on late Tuesday evening only hours after the campaign had launched it has already raised £355.

Full details of the crowdfunding campaign and how you can donate, can be found here.