TEN years following the death of their friend Ryan Tolley, a group of friends are in the throes of producing a musical show to honour his legacy and raise money for children fighting cancer in Southend and Basildon.
Ryan, from Great Wakering, died at the age of 22, following a two year battle with leukaemia.
He was an avid fan of West End musicals and – just before he died – had been raising money to be donated to a cancer charity.
His friend and now theatre director, Michelle Barrington, 29, friend of Ryan, said: “Ryan began a small fundraising project from his bed at Southend Hospital, asking visitors and nurses at Southend Hospital what he should name his new teddy bear.
“For every name suggestion he asked for a small donation, to raise money for young people in similar situations to his own.
“After Ryan died his family and friends wanted to continue his legacy helping other young people facing cancer.
“This is now our 10th year of putting on a show to raise money for charity and celebrate what would have been Ryan’s birthday.
“He loved to perform and watching musicals in London’s West End, so our show aims to honour a huge part of Ryan’s personality while celebrating his life and raising money to help others.
“We are putting on a West End themed musical show, to raise vital funds to support other children and young people fighting cancer in Southend and Basildon.”
Titled ‘Ryan’s Show, it will take place on Saturday November 12, at Twenty-One on Southend seafront, at the bottom of the pier lift.
Ryan’s Show will raise money for charity Gold Geese, which provides practical and emotional support to local families of children and young people fighting cancer.
The charity tailors support to each family’s needs and ranges from funding for mental health therapy and food shop vouchers to toys, weekend trips away and practical help with hospital transfers.
Katie Southgate, founder of Gold Geese, said: “We’re hugely grateful to Ryan’s family and friends for choosing to support us while honouring his legacy.
“Around 1,900 children are diagnosed with cancer every year, and it causes a huge upheaval for everyone in the family – emotionally, physically and often financially.
“Ryan’s Show has supported us since 2018 and has helped fund several theatre production respite treats for local children with cancer, including tickets to see Back to the Future, Elf the Musical and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Trips like these are an important way of giving families a break from their situation and connect with each other doing fun activities like any other family.
“Donations from fundraisers such as these allow us to be there every step of the way for local families affected by childhood cancer. Our slogan is ‘We Fly Together’, because geese are a team and no one is left behind.”
Ryan’s Show tickets are £15 available from tickettailor.com/event/ryansshow
