Remembering Reamonn Gormley

REAMONN Gormley, aged 19, from Blantyre, was a popular and hard-working university student, who had spent the evening of Tuesday, February 1 watching Celtic’s match against Aberdeen in a local pub. Tragically, he was attacked on his way home and died later in hospital.

Reamonn was also a talented footballer who had spent two years with the Celtic Youth Academy, from Under-13 to Under-15 level, and his death has shocked everyone who knew and worked with him.

During his gap year between school and university, Reamonn taught English to children in Thailand at the Good Child Foundation.

The charity has challenged traditional thoughts on inclusive education and is the only school offering placements to children of all ages and abilities, including pupils with Down’s Syndrome, at its school in the Chanthaburi province of Thailand.

The work of the Good Child Foundation was initially introduced to the Celtic support through fan Paul Lennon, whose son Berni was born with Down's Syndrome in February 2003. 

Berni was the first child of Paul and his wife Pun and the news that he had Down’s had a dramatic impact on their lives. A key worry they faced was where Berni would be educated. 

After a long search and rejections from schools, Paul and Pun found a mainstream school that would take Berni, if they volunteered to help teach English to the pupils at the school. 

Through their work, the school is willing to offer a place to all children with Down’s Syndrome in the surrounding area – there are currently six children with Down’s attending the school.

Paul welcomed Reamonn with open arms and the children loved him instantly. His love, care, compassion and laughter made a huge impression on each and every person he came into contact with, during his time at the Good Child Foundation. They are all devastated by his tragic death.

Celtic Charity Fund was approached by two members of the Celtic Quick News community who, along with their fellow supporters, felt really strongly about honouring Reamonn’s memory in some way. 

The original idea was to raise enough funds to buy a memorial wreath but the depth of support was so vast, they quickly realised something even greater was required. 

Together, the Bhoys decided the best way to honour Reamonn was through raising money for the Good Child Foundation, as the charity was so close to his heart.

A fundraising page under the banner of 'Remembering Reamonn Gormley', has now been established. 

Charity Fund Manager Jane Maguire said: “It was our privilege to get involved in such a wonderful initiative led by the Celtic support, so Celtic Charity Fund provided the vehicle through which the funds could be raised. 

“All monies will be collated by ourselves and then donated to the Good Child Foundation, in memory of Reamonn and on behalf of the fans. The Good Child Foundation is also a previous beneficiary of Celtic Charity Fund, with £2,000 awarded in August last year to help purchase teaching aids, educational materials and sports equipment.

"The spirit and compassion of the Celtic Family is quite incredible and this fundraising initiative is a perfect example of that.”

The response has been utterly incredible from the Celtic Family, with nearly £12,000 already raised. To make a donation, please click here – www.everyclick.com/rememberingreamonngormley

And to watch a moving and uplifting video of the children of the Good Child Foundation, click HERE