Charity football match to raise funds for family hospital accommodation in memory of Duncan Wright

The family of a young man who died at the start of the coronavirus pandemic are fundraising to support others with free accommodation to be by their loved ones bedside.

Duncan Wright died in 2020 after catching an infection during what was meant to be life-saving heart surgery, almost two years earlier.

Despite two further heart surgeries and daily treatment, the infection led to the 30-year-old’s premature death.

The keen footballer left behind wife Laura, twin sister Ghilly, older brother Tom, and parents Jim and Morag.

Now three years on, the Edinburgh family will host a charity football match in Duncan’s memory in a bid to raise funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities UK.

The organisation provides free “home away from home” accommodation and support for families with children in hospital.

Duncan, Morag and Ghilly Wright. Ronald McDonald House Charities UK

Duncan, who was treated in Glasgow, was able to be supported by his mother during his infection battle, as she was offered a room at the Ronald McDonald House free-of-charge.

Morag, who branded the charity a “godsend” during their ordeal, said: “It took away some of the worries we were facing and enabled me to be by Duncan’s bedside in a matter of minutes.”

This year’s competition will be the sixth fundraising match organised by the family and will take place on November 3 at the World of Football in Edinburgh’s Corn Exchange.

Last year’s tournament raised more than £8,000 and organisers are hoping to raise more in 2023 in Duncan’s memory.

Julia Coley, Ronald McDonald House Charities UK community fundraiser for Scotland said: “We’re grateful to all of Duncan’s family, friends and work colleagues for their support of our charity and wish all of the competitors luck for the forthcoming Duncan Wright Memorial Cup.

The entry fee is £400 per team is, which can be donated via the JustGiving page. The money raised will help us continue our vital work to keep families together when they need it most.”

After his death, Duncan’s father Jim cycled 115 miles to scatter his son’s ashes at Sandgreen on the Solway Estuary.

Jim decided to make the journey a sponsored cycle and raised £28,000 plus gift aid for the charity.