Rembering Ricky Hatton

Last week Manchester came to a standstill with people lining the streets, along the procession route leading the way to Manchester Cathedral to pay their respects to Boxing Legend and Manchester Hero Ricky Hatton MBE. We are devastated by Ricky’s passing and were very humbled to be invited along with other guests to attend Ricky’s funeral service. Ricky was a much loved and generous ambassador for Barnabus for over 10 years. He was full of compassion for the men and women we support struggling with homelessness, addictions, poor mental health and trauma.

The service was such a beautiful tribute, almost a week on It is still difficult to put into words just how special this service was. He was of course revered for his incredible boxing achievements but equally and perhaps even more so for the kind hearted, warm and funny person we had all come to know and love at Barnabus. The personal heart-breaking tributes from Ricky’s family; son, daughters and mum and heartfelt eulogy from friend and commentator Adam Smith all showed deep love and respect. It was a moving service and we are so thankful we could be there to give thanks for Ricky and join in prayers for his family, friends, loved ones and all who hold him dear.

Ricky could be a quiet person but he had such a huge heart for the people we support and so much empathy for people who faced internal battles as he sadly faced himself.

Ricky first got to know us when he came to see another boxing great Evander Holyfield, who visited us in 2013 as part of his Global Village Champions Foundation. We could never have guessed that a month later Ricky would turn up to speak to the men and women in our Beacon support centre, from that day he would continue to support the men and women who visit Barnabus for over a decade.

Whenever he came to visit; the men and women we support would queue at our support centre to meet him. He was so relaxed chatting with people and having a brew, down to earth, great sense of humour and a real encourager. I remember him coming in with a load of new boxers to give out to our guys coined as “Boxers from a Boxer”. He would often come in with donations of jeans, joggers, tees, biscuits, milk or anything we were short of.

It was also always exciting to be invited along with some of the men and women we support to his gym and boxing academy. That was such a treat.

He also helped fund our work with a series of events from taking part in the grueling Pico de Veleta bike ride to an amazing Las Vegas party he put on in Manchester to celebrate the anniversary of his IBF world victory title over Kostya Tszyu with proceeds supported our work at Barnabus and another of his supported charities Genesis UK.

There are so many warm and wonderful memories of Ricky, too many to mention. RIP Ricky gone too soon. We were so blessed to know you. You were one of a kind!