By Callum Ludwig
The legacy of a young man’s life has been remembered by the Lilydale and Yarra Glen Football Netball Clubs again this year.
Ryan Donald was only 17 years old when he passed away in his sleep, with seemingly no explanation. Ryan’s heartbeat had extended for just a millisecond, causing his brain to send an irregular message to his heart at his home in Yarra Glen. This is known as sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS), and it is a condition that is often undetected in people under 40.
In 2019, the two clubs played in the first Ryan Donald Memorial Football Match, and this was the first time since the event was able to return, with the netballers also getting involved. The football match was organised by former Lilydale player and friend of Ryan’s Zak Kennedy.
The two sides played in six fifteen-minute intervals at the Lilydale Recreation Reserve and came together in the rooms for a function afterwards at 7.30pm, with a silent auction that included items donated such as a North Melbourne Women’s team jumper, signed, match-worn and kindly donated by Ash Riddell and four Round 14 Carlton vs Gold Coast Carlton FC Presidents Club Tickets kindly donated by Carlton Football Club.
Thank you also to Katie and Evan from Yarra Gym who donated a six-month gym membership and Yarra Zen 10-pack pass and Craig at 4WD Supacentre Dandenong who has donated a Kayak.
Sporting Fine Art also returned to once again produce merchandise that was sold to raise funds.
2022 marked the ten-year anniversary of Ryan’s death, and all funds raised were donated to the Murdoch Foundation and will be used for genetic research into SADS, which is estimated to kill around 400 young Australians each year.
Ryan’s Run, organised by Ryan’s friends and his parents Graeme and Meaghan Donald, was also able to return in person this year. Ryan’s Run is a 17km walk, ride or run that was held over the weekend as well.
