Dear Friends

As summer draws to a close and the new rugby season at Rossyln Park gets underway, we would like to take forward the plan to put in place a memorial bench for Finlay at the Club.

Finlay MacLeod died on the 25th May 2023. He was 20 years old and had played at Rosslyn Park throughout the mini and youth age groups from the age of 4. He was part of an exceptionally talented year group at the Club, with his younger brother Seumas hot on his heels in the year group below. When Finlay was 9 years old he was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a degenerative condition in which the cells in your retina break down gradually over time, resulting in loss of vision. Finlay was determined to never be held back by it, and truly was an inspirational person to be around continuing to play rugby at a very high level throughout school and then at Bristol University. He was an exceptional young man and it was privilege to have known him.

It has been just over two years since Finlay left us – two years without him and adjusting to the enormous void that he left. With the new season ahead of us and with Finlay’s family’s support, it feels like the right time to set up a dedicated memorial bench, so that friends and family, together with the next generation of young rugby players, can cheer on with him during matches, feel inspired by him at training or simply go and sit in quiet contemplation when they wish. It is a bench for all of us and especially for dad Steve, mum Fiona and brother Seumas, who have been so invested in the Club.

The Club have given consent to install the bench, which will be inscribed with a simple dedication. However, we need to raise some funds to pay for it and its installation on a hardstanding. Ideally, we would like to have the bench on the way in time for Finlay’s birthday towards the end of October. Once it’s ready, we hope to have a small dedication gathering, in which we can remember what Finlay meant to us and how we like best to remember him. We will read out a selection of your messages; everyone will be welcome.

We are looking to raise about £2500 (any surplus will be donated to Retina UK, the charity that is very special to the family). If you would like to contribute to the fund or just leave a message or both, please use the link below.

Many thanks

Richard White and Stig Grainger

Rossyln Park Minis (02/03 and 03/04)