Almost £14,000 was raised for two good causes at the Oliver Turkington Memorial Dinner which took place at Coleraine Inst last month.
The event – addressed by legendary British and Irish Lions captain Willie John McBride and compered by local comedy duo Grimes and McKee
– was organised to celebrate the life of Moira man Oliver Turkington,a former boarder and the standout player of CAI’s rugby tour of Japan
25 years ago.
Mark McMahon, Senior Local Fundraising Manager for Cancer Research UK in Northern Ireland, visited the school to receive a cheque for £6,923
from Paul McBride, Coleraine Inst’s captain in the Far East in 1989.
Richard Beggs, the current CAI 1st XV Head Coach – who started at outside-half in all four games of the Japan tour – presented a cheque
for an identical amount to Dr David Carruthers, the Headmaster, to assist with rugby development at the school.
Mark McMahon said:
“Cancer Research UK in Northern Ireland would like to thank Barry White and all who attended this gala event to celebrate the life of
Oliver Turkington. People travelled from all over the UK, Ireland and further afield in memory of Oliver.
“Congratulations to all involved in organising such a memorable, celebratory event. This is an incredible amount of money and will all
go towards our life-saving research.”
Dr David Carruthers said:
“It was a wonderful evening and, for me, a great pleasure to have the opportunity to welcome so many Old Boys back to CAI. A significant
number had travelled from outside Northern Ireland to be present and were very pleased to be back, which certainly reflects well on their
time here.
“A remarkable amount of money was also raised on the night, half of which will go towards rugby development at the school. This will
serve as a great legacy and a fitting tribute to Oliver, who continues to be remembered particularly fondly by all who knew him.”
Barry White, who organised the event in partnership with Richard Beggs, said:
“I cannot praise the school enough for their support.
“Firstly, huge personal thanks to Richard who took on the challenge with all the grit and determination he used to show on the rugby
field, and now displays on the touchline every Saturday morning. Second, to Diane Armstrong and Nicola Hanna in the school office, true
unsung heroines of the piece. Nothing was ever too much trouble for them. And finally, to the Headmaster, the Board of Governors and the
Bursar, Gordon Knight, for allowing the school to serve as the appropriate backdrop for an evening none of us present will ever
forget.
“On behalf of all involved, warmest thanks also to Willie John McBride, Alan McKee, Conor Grimes, our sponsors Tughans and Doran
Consulting, and everyone who so willingly donated auction and raffle prizes. We will be forever in their debt.”
Pictured From left to right: Mark McMahon, Senior Local Fundraising Manager for Cancer Research UK in Northern Ireland; Paul McBride, CAI
1st XV captain, Japan tour 1989; Richard Beggs, Head Coach, CAI 1st XV; and Dr David Carruthers, Headmaster, CAI.
