I've raised £30000 to remember Ralph Roberts who loved skateboarding & helping others. His family want to help fund other people in skating to LIVE LIKE RALPH!
Organised by Neil and Fiona Roberts and all his family and friends
Story
I’ll forever remember Ralph and carry him with me, he was such a gift. I am so privileged to have been able to have been part of his life, for which I will always be grateful. He was such a wonderful, funny, witty, talented spirit who was friends with everyone. At least we had him in our lives for a while and that is priceless. The only words of consolation that I can give you is that you had the best part of it, as you got to call him son!"
In Memory of Ralph who sadly passed away on the 3rd January 2021
Ralph Roberts died tragically and suddenly at only 26 years old due to sarcoidosis, a rare throat condition which resulted in breathing complications (Non Covid)
He was an exceptional human being who had a passion for living his own life but at the same time helping others to live theirs
This Just Giving Page has been set up to help young people either involved in skating or who want to get involved in skating. We are setting up a charitable foundation specifically in Ralph’s name. It will fulfil Ralph’s ethos of helping people progress in the skating world and see their true potential. We will develop and restore skateparks, provide boards and footwear to young people in need, encourage girls into skating and support young creatives
Ralph was one of the most caring, giving and generous people. He always took the time to support others and saw their talents and potential even when they could not
His overriding loves were skateboarding and creativity. He was and always will be an icon in the skating world. Ralph's talents were admired and acknowledged by others in the skate community and bought him so much joy, freedom and the means to express himself. He loved to encourage and teach others, including his 11 year old niece, buying her first skateboard, taking her to the 'Girls Skate Event' at House of Vans and mentoring her. This is just a tiny reflection of how much skating meant to Ralph and how much he believed it made the world a better place for those involved
‘A true skater, always smiling and spreading good vibes.’
He truly loved life. He had an ability to seize every moment and make it the best. The dullest of days became the golden ones you never forgot when Ralph was around. His generosity of spirit was ever present. He was golden to the core
Ralph worked hard and achieved so much in his short lifetime. He realised his dream job at Vans (VF), working tirelessly in many fields and truly loving every moment. Always buzzing with ideas, dreams and invention, there was so much much more he would have achieved
Ralph loved putting on a party or social event in and out of work. He was the life and soul of the party and always lit up the room. It was his priority to be all inclusive and lift everyone around him
Ralph was a man of many talents and could take anything and make it new, exciting, inspiring and challenging.This was often reflected in his personal style. He was a magician with a sewing machine with skills including embroidery, tailoring and up-cycling
Ralph was always gracefully but unapologetically himself
Ralph had so much wisdom to share and was so unbelievably supportive of everything I was trying to do. I only knew Ralph personally for a short time, he's had such a monumental impact on my life and I am eternally thankful for our friendship. You raised a truly one of a kind, beautiful soul the world was so, so lucky to have."
Most importantly Ralph was a one of a kind, a beautiful soul and a motivator. He always met negativity with positivity and believed in best for all. People who crossed paths with him, however briefly, could see in Ralph a warm and kindred spirit
Whilst we are heartbroken now, it is so important to his parents and family that the baton of Ralph’s kindness is passed on to others and spread as far and as wide as possible
The first donation of £10 was found in Ralph's wallet and is therefore from Ralph himself. He is planting this £10 acorn. So please support the massive oak we wish to grow in his name
Apart from direct donations please consider your own events/challenges to raise sponsorship for the cause.
We promise to you updates on Ralph's legacy on a regular basis
All our thanks and blessings
From Ralph, his family and friends
‘Live Like Ralph!’
xxx
So much of my world has been touched by you, you are in everything.
You are vodka sparkling water, or Perrier when you’re feeling fancy,
You are milk and the milky bar kid,
You are midnight walks and sneaking out,
You are the films we watched upstairs when our parents said no like Trainspotting,
You are table tennis in the attic,
You are walks along the shore,
You are patches and clothes and creativity and skateboards,
You are sewing machines and embroidery, You’re making something better than it already was, You’re holidays,
You are the skatepark in France,
You are that belly laughter you just can’t contain,
You are holding my hand through sadness and never letting go,
You are Simpsons and Futurama and Adventure Time and Mighty Boosh and Studio Ghibli,
You are Easter egg hunts on the green,
You are finding laughter in every single time together,
You are the eye rolls when everyone’s too drunk and we have to deal with them,
You are generosity, you are love, you are talent, you are everything and more
You are forever our Ralphie.”
This page has been established so that we can capture donations from family and friends who wish to give at this time. You can also register your interest in giving to, or being involved in, the project once more details have been established.
