EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY FUNDRAISER (END PRIZE £1000)

About This Competition

END PRIZE = £1000 + SIX SIGNED PHOTOS OF JONATHAN REA AND KENNY ROBINSON!

+21 INSTANT WIN PRIZES WHICH WERE KINDLY DONATED FOR THIS FUNDRAISER

£2 TO ENTER WITH EVERY SINGLE PENNY BEING SPLIT EQUALLY BETWEEN THE SIX CHARITIES LISTED BELOW!

SAMARITANS CHARITY NUMBER : 219432

TURNING POINT NI : NIC102933

COMMUNITY RESCUE GROUP : NI106359

AIR AMBULANCE : NIC103900

CANCER FOCUS : NIC101307

JOEY DUNLOP FOUNDATION : 842

Every Picture Tells A Story…

Yes, we’ve heard it said many times ‘Every picture tells a story!’ And yes, we ALL have a story to tell!
I have had the privilege of seeing a number of special  photographs each with a remarkable story to tell but . . . put these photographs together!?! . . .Then an extraordinary story unfolds!!!
I hope that sharing these photographs and their stories with you that it will help to support and inspire so many . . . as it has helped and inspired me! Thank you!

Jamie Craig, Lord Mayor of Belfast and Julie Morton (Pictured aove)

(Malcolm and Kenny Robinson and Julie Morton pictured above).

Let me start by introducing myself,  Julie Morton. I myself am a wheelchair user,  managing Multiple Sclerosis and resident of Ballymena for twenty plus years.

Normally I like to hide behind the camera but for the benefit of this report it’s important to highlight my ‘obvious disability’.
I say ‘obvious disability’ as yes, you see me as a wheelchair user. . . with that, I have to say a BIG THANK YOU!
So many people worldwide!!! Family, friends, Ballymena people,  strangers you meet in the street, local businesses. The welcome, the kindness and support can be so overwhelming! Thank you  . . . BUT remember,  we can’t and shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover!
Yes, I’m in a wheelchair but with or without that disability aid … WE ALL need that smile, hello, thank you! It can make a wonderful difference to hear it AND say it! 😉

DONNY AND NEIL MEMORIAL PICTURED ABOVE

Yes, I’m disabled but it doesn’t stop me from trying to look after myself, as we all must do. Therapy for me would be swimming and gym when possible respectful of given health matters.
It was at a local gym that I  met a lovely,  young local man . . . Kenny Robinson  from Cullybackey . . . and this is where the story starts to unfold with the next photograph.
Many of us, many times have drove past the Donny and Neil Memorial Statue on the Old Cullybackey Road.  The two motor bikers, brothers and then Uncle’s of KENNY ROBINSON!

Donny and Neil(Smutty) Robinson. Both young men lost their lives to motorbike racing.
Youngest Neil(Smutty)(1962-1986) was only 24 years old when he lost his life as a result of a crash during a practice session  in 1986 at Oliver’s Mount Racing Circuit,  Scarborough.  He sadly passed later that evening  in Hull Royal Infirmary.
Previously that year Neil competed in the World Championship Ulster Grand Prix where Neil achieved a memorable performance in the Formula 1 Race. In wet conditions Neil claimed victory over Joey Dunlop,  who at that time was the newly crowned ‘World TT Formula 1 Champion’.
Neil’s further endeavours at the meeting resulted in disappointment in the TT Classic Race which saw him retire with a blown engine whilst Dunlop upped the outright Lap record to 120.83 miles per hour (194.46km/h)
A collection of results saw Neil standing on the threshold of what promised to be a brilliant  international career, being on the cusp of signing a full-time contract with the factory Suzuki Racing Team when he became the 13th rider to die on the Oliver’s Mount Circuit at Scarborough.  That was the first time he competed at the circuit.
Neil’s older brother,  Donny Robinson (1956-1999)was tragically killed in a racing accident at the 1999 North West 200 at Coleraine. In wet conditions he crashed heavily at the Mill Road Roundabout whilst riding a 125cc in the second practice session and died the next morning at Coleraine Hospital from multiple injuries.  Donny had retired from his Grand Prix Career in 1985 to concentrate on road racing.

DONNY & NEIL PICTURED ABOVE

The Robinson Family are very grateful to local artist,  Mary Hunter for her help, support and work in creating the ‘Donny and Neil Memorial Statue’. Also thanks to RF Linton & Sons Motorcycle Dealer  and Malcolm Robinson (Donny and Neil’s brother) for helping to support cast work in creating the Statue.  Hoping to add an informative granite stone at a later date.

New kid on the block…

Racing was in the Robinson family, so it wasn’t surprising that Kenny followed in his father Malcolm Robinson and Uncle’s footsteps!

On the 9th October 2004, this photograph (above) was taken at Bishops court Racing Circuit, Downpatrick.
Kenny Robinson on bike number 24. . .with Jonathan Rea over Kenny’s shoulder! Yes, Jonathan Rea pending to take the lead on motorbike notoriously numbered 65!
Both young men competing fiercely for 1st place!.  . . .That was one of many races for both Kenny and Jonathan.
This was in the beginning of Jonathan Rea’s racing career!
Jonathan went on to compete onto the World Stage in 2008, with many highlighting events in this progression. Ultimately being the first to have won the Superbike World Championship six times! In 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020! OUTSTANDING! A marvellous accolade and the first and only to achieve this!
WELL DONE JONATHAN REA MBE OBE 🏁

Jonathan Rea pictured above signing the photo

Kenny Robinson presenting Samaritans with the signed photo.

With a HUGE thanks to all the local businesses for donating some quality prizes to be won instantly!

Pictured below is the list of prizes to be won!

Kenny’s racing career however after the Bishops court photograph took a different track!
He was still racing . . . but this time for his life!
It was only a few weeks after the photograph was taken in 2004 that Kenny on the 15th December was working on a building site at Hollywood, outside Belfast.
He had been working on an industrial frame approximately 20ft high. And as with the fearless nature of racing Kenny had no fear!
Unfortunately for Kenny,  he slipped and couldn’t recover from falling from the 20ft height!
His body crashed to the ground! He sustained serious head injuries and family were advised the possibility of switching off a life support machine  . . .MIRACULOUSLY with numerous injuries and brain injury Kenny Robinson survived!💪🏁

Kenny, given the nature of brain 🧠 injury will always be competing daily with life. . . as WE all do!
Every day’s a new day!

Given this remarkable story Kenny and Jonathan have signed SIX of the Bishops court  photographs. The six signed photographs will be raffled along with many generously donated prizes from local supporting businesses for six charities.
WHY, so many charities you may ask? That’s the nature of brain injury, for Kenny he is bountiful with kindness and caring. And yes, with his example of survival he has inspired so many . . .that’s quite a few chequered flags🏁And the six charities signifies his survival and celebrates Jonathan Rea’s achievements!💪😉
Again, thank you Jonathan Rea for your support in this fundraiser!
All 100% of the money raised will be divided equally among the six charities listed below.
We’re all in this race together and we’re all winning!
Thank you to everyone for your kindness, support and generosity. And with every donation remember that we’re ALL winners!🏆Not just the six charities but remember the hundreds of people that your donation will be helping to support!

So many kind and generous offers to support this fundraiser but remember it’s the donations that count and will make a difference now! FINAL AMOUNT raised and winners will be listed on Valentine’s Day 14th February 2024. Celebrating the LOVE of Life, Caring, Giving, Supporting so many.
Thank you everyone! Stay safe and well over the holidays 🎄🎁 and Happy New Year!