By Sarah Curran
AN interactive activity board donated to a specialist care centre in Newtownards will be the ‘legacy’ of a Bangor boxing legend.
Staff and residents at the Phoenix Clinic and Resource Centre in Newtownards have given their heartfelt thanks to the Close family, after they donated specialist equipment which is hoped to enrich the lives of those within the care facility.
The money was raised to purchase the interactive board, known as a Happi Table, last year, when Benjamin Close decided to take on the Belfast Half Marathon, as well as Bangor 10k.
The 37 year-old Bangor man, who owns Benjamin Close hairdressers on Balloo Drive, said he had wanted to raise funds for the clinic where his dad, retired professional boxer Ray Close is a resident, following a traumatic brain injury due to the sport.
Former boxing champion Ray fought Chris Eubank twice for the world title, but before getting a chance a third time, Ray failed a routine MRI scan and the British Boxing Board of Control revoked his licence.
The Phoenix Clinic is the only nursing home in Northern Ireland which provides specialist care for people aged 18-65 with a physical disability and for the last few years, Ray has been a resident.
In awe of the amazing work of the staff at the clinic, Benjamin recalled how he was challenged by his nephew, Lewis, to run the Belfast Half Marathon last year.
Describing himself as an unlikely candidate for athletics, Benjamin decided he would accept the challenge and along the way managed to lose seven stone and continues to participate in runs today – having since completed the Larne Ten Miler, Belfast Full Marathon and the Seven Peak Challenge.
Benjamin set a goal of raising a small amount for the residency fund but totalling almost £5,000 in fundraising, the clinic were able to purchase an interactive board which allows stimulation and entertainment to all their residents, even those who are bedbound.
Noting his father’s excellent care, Benjamin explained how Ray was brought to the facility originally for respite.
He continued: “After a wee bit of respite we realised how good the facility was for him. They are like a community.
“All the staff have been amazing throughout this period with my dad’s care.”
With Ray now in palliative care, Benjamin said the donation was a tribute to the clinic for the care and support Ray and his family have received over the last few years, adding that they had allowed Ray to become ‘just their dad’ again.
Project worker Claire McConkey thanked the Close family for the donation, noting how it has already made a huge difference to the lives of residents in the clinic.
“This screen allows me to get more hands on with our residents who can’t get out of bed, as well as the ones that are maybe more bored,” she shared. Claire explained that the interactive board allowed for the residents to play games, use sensory apps and even travel the world from the comfort of their bed.
“I’ll be able to show Ray’s boxing career and everything on the screen,” she said, noting how residents had asked about it before.
Home manager Karen Conway thanked the family for their donation, saying they were ‘immensely grateful’. “We are massively appreciative for what Benjamin has done because the residents are going to benefit greatly from this,” she said.
