Memorial Bench in memory of Captain James Feeney
Donation protected
Firstly – thankyou to anyone who takes the time to read this story and the reasons behind what I’m trying to do.
The basic idea is for the 10-year anniversary of my brother, James’ death, to get a memorial bench specially made to go at his graveside mainly for the benefit of my parents to sit and remember, but also anyone else who visits.
At this point, I have no idea of the costs – but anything over & above anything raised will go directly to the following charities:
• Royal British Legion.
• Help for heroes.
• SSAFA.
James was born in an army barracks in Aldershot in 1987 to my dad, a 20+ year Scots Guard & my mum, an army nurse. They were stationed in Germany just after and didn’t know where to relocate to in Britain when discharging from the army. Long story short, they got drunk one night, stuck a pin in a map and ended up in Preston, Lancashire. 2 years later, I came along.
James was always destined for the army – from a young age, from being in the army cadets, to OTC, it was all he wanted to do – yet he wanted to do it differently to my dad. He went through school and college and decided he wanted to join as an officer. He went to Glasgow Uni and upon passing out was offered a place at Sandhurst.
He thrived there (despite not being from the generic affluent background that Sandhurst entails), and passed out, joining the Royal Welsh regiment as Captain. 2 tours in the middle east, multiple training in the jungle, the arctic later, he comes home for some well-earned R&R.
However, on the night of 15th May 2015, he was on a night out near in Canterbury, Kent. After the night out, on his way home drunk, he tried to cross a dual carriageway near his barracks when he was unfortunately hit by van travelling on the road, aged 28.
Needless to say, this was a huge shock and surprise and cause huge heartbreak to friends, family and loved ones.
It’s been a tough journey, but everyone has made it through and now with the 10-year anniversary coming next year, I thought it would be poignant to remember and allow others to remember with a memorial bench at the graveside.
A season ticket holder at Ibrox from the age of 6, originally in the broomloan rear family stand before moving to our current seats in the main stand rear where we’ve been for years. Every week, what used to be a minibus full from Blackburn, Preston and Lancaster is now mainly a car full or a few lads on the train due to changes in life and old age.
But our club survives and will celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2026. I’ve been a member all my 35 years of life and it is as part of me as anything else and it’s a privilege to be apart of our wonderful institution.
For myself, I lived in Kinning Park for 7 years from 2011 to 2018 before moving back down south – and many will know me from being a regular in the Bellrock back in them days, and a regular on the Grapes Bar bus with Heppy for years through ‘the journey back’. Also, multiple trips abroad in Europe with Hunter and the Glaswegian lads. After moving back down to Preston, my partner has a 6-year-old boy, and literally any day now, my daughter is due (31st May) to complete our family. It would be lovely to take my brothers’ niece and nephew to the graveside more to sit and learn.
James himself was a very skilled footballer and in his late teens played for Blackpool and Accrington Stanley locally and was given a trial at Rangers one summer for a couple of days – but himself admitted afterwards that he blew it – something I’m sure he regretted but that also led to the army life he had and loved so perhaps not.
I’m trying to do this without my dad in particular finding out – he doesn’t use Follow Follow but others from the club or who know him do, so I’d appreciate the silence if that is at all possible.
Whether this will work or not, I’ve no idea – but throughout the process, I will regularly provide updates & of course photos. The anniversary might not be for almost a year – but I’ve no idea how long these things take.
I’ve attached a link at the bottom regarding the story, and I just want to say thanks to anyone who has taken the time to read this. There are probably numerous other things I’ve missed that I wanted to add.
If anyone would like to donate anything to this- the link is below.
Thanks all for reading – all the best, Aaron.
WATP & God save the King.
Organizer
Aaron Feeney
Organizer