Richard Mayne died in July 2014 at the age of 20.
He was amongst the victims of the MH17 incident over Eastern Ukraine. Mr Mayne grew up in Leicestershire and had previously attended Market Bosworth High School, later attending Dixie Grammar School, also in Market Bosworth. Richard was deputy head boy at the Dixie Grammar School, and earned himself a place at the University of Leeds to study Maths and Finance, where he was performing well.
Richard was an avid rugby player, and had been for many years. He played for his school and for the Market Bosworth Rugby Club, for whom he made more than 200 appearances, lifting the RFU Under-17 National Cup in 2011.
Richard also represented Leeds University’s Gryphons, and in July the University of Leeds Rugby Union Club tweeted: “Hearts go out to the friends & family of Richard Mayne, a popular clubman taken from us too soon. We pay tribute to an honest and kind man.”
Richard’s former Head Teacher John Wood said in a statement in July: “All of us in The Dixie Grammar School community are devastated to hear the tragic news of Richard Mayne’s death on the Malaysian Airlines flight. He said Mr Mayne was a “great all-rounder, good academically and also a keen sportsman”, being part of the school’s successful rugby team.
“Richard was an extremely pleasant and thoughtful young man who gave his time generously for everyone,” he said.
Paying his respects, David Shakeshaft, Market Bosworth Rugby Club chairman, said: “Passionate about his rugby, he was looking forward to playing in Australia where he was heading to continue his studies,”
“His last game for us was in a charity match, which was so typical of his good nature, he was so willing to participate and help wherever he could”.
Richard Mayne had also been an active member of Leeds RAG, and in March had travelled to the Everest base camp, raising money for charity Kidasha. Kidasha is a UK-based charity for impoverished children in Nepal, and it is thought Mayne chose them because they are combatting diabetes in children in the area, a condition from which Richard suffered.
The Leeds RAG committee said in a statement: “At Leeds RAG we were extremely saddened by the tragic loss of Richard. We greatly appreciated his contributions to and achievements with Leeds RAG and the charities we support. Our Everest Base Camp participants hold precious memories of their time together and speak of the huge impact Richard had throughout the trip. That so many people chose to donate to his Just Giving page is a real testament to his generous and charitable nature and something for which we are immeasurably grateful”.
At the Varsity grand-final, RAG had 25 volunteers bucket-shaking in aid of the Richard Mayne Foundation and Marie Curie Cancer Care. In total £665.13 was raised, to be split evenly between the two.
A one minute applause was also held in his honour.
The Richard Mayne Foundation was established by the family and friends of Richard. The foundation provides funding for diabetes sufferers to experience some of the same adventurous and exciting things Richard Mayne did in his life.
Jake Hookem