Ross Ballard was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2016 and sadly passed away following a lengthy battle with the illness in 2019.

Allan Nelson, Mark McClelland, Nico Fell, Nolan and Nicola Andrews (nee Cooke), Joanne Keery (nee Smyth) and Laura Willis (nee Maltman) will be joined by Nolan and Nicola's son Josh, who is currently in Year 11 at Sullivan, to race in aid of www.braintumourresearch.org

The marathon was postponed due to Covid, and will now take place on Sunday 29th May. The group are relieved that they are eventually getting the opportunity to race and raise critical and vital funds. 

Allan Nelson commented,

"Ross was one of a kind" said Allan Melson. "A creative genius who left Sullivan with an A in art, studied landscape architecture at Heriot Watt University and then went on to build a world-renowned career in the field. We were all great friends and stayed in touch through university, went to each other weddings, and are Godparents to each other’s children. Losing him was a massive shock and something that still rocks us all."

"Losing Ross was heart breaking and we wanted to do something to help raise funds for the charity dedicated to brain tumour research" said Mark McClelland. "His wife Rachel, who lives in Edinburgh, is running with us, and it is inspiring that the race runs past Ross's home in Portobello. Ross's two young sons will be cheering us on from the side lines along with lots of our other children. There are 26 of us in total spending the weekend together and attempting to complete the race!"

Most of the team are running a relay but Nolan has been training for the full marathon and is excited yet nervous about the trial. "It’s been a long time coming and I can't wait to get going on the day - and reach the finish line!” he said, anticipating the fast-approaching day.

The group want to raise as much money for their friend and the team were absolutely delighted when local artist Terry Bradley heard about what they were doing and wanted to get involved by lending a hand with fund-raising. The charity is close to the hearts of the Bradley gallery as one of their staff tragically lost their brother following the diagnosis of a brain tumour at the age of eighteen. Terry & Ashley Bradley wanted to dedicate a piece of work to be auctioned on behalf of Peter Clarke. Peter’s sister Rachel has selected the piece which the group believe is extremely apt and beautifully sums up our fundraising campaign!

Nico Fell stated, ‘We would love the Sullivan community to get behind us and support our fundraising efforts. We have such special memories from our school days, and it is a testament to the school’s ethos that we have remained so tight knit even though we left school 28 years ago. We are so grateful that Terry and his team got involved and we hope that someone will not only get a wonderful piece of art but will feel great by contributing to a wonderful charity.’

The piece is a small hand embellished ‘Aslan’ which retails at £685. 

"Aslan" HE Canvas – Bradley Art Limited (terrybradley.com)

To make a bid then please email teamrossfundraising@gmail.com with opening bids starting from £500. Once you have bid then you will be kept informed on how your bid compares with others. The auction will end on the 29th of May at 6pm (Marathon Day!).

Additionally, to make a donation to Team Ross, please visit www.justgiving.com/teams/holywoodteamross and click on one of the participants.

Good luck to #TeamRoss