Funeral fundraiser appeal for Ramsgate dad and ‘top man’ Kevin Richardson

Kevin loved Arsenal, bikes and sci fi

A fundraiser has been launched for Newington dad-of-two Kevin Richardson who lost his battle against cancer just a month after being diagnosed.

The former Tesco worker passed away on January 10, aged just 58.

A regular at The Wheatsheaf in St Lawrence, Kevin was also a massive Star Trek and sci-fi fan, loved motorbikes – especially his Kawasaki – and was a huge supporter of Arsenal football club.

He leaves behind daughters Kelsey, 24, and Lauren, 26, and many friends.

Kelsey’s partner Connor Byrne, who has set up a gofundme appeal to help with funeral costs, said: “Kevin was a top man, a lovely guy. He had a very dry sense of humour so you would never know whether he was joking or serious until a big smile cracked out on his face.

“He had only known about the cancer for a month. He had been at Pilgrims Hospice in Margate and then a couple of weeks in Canterbury before coming home. It was so quick that although he tried his best there wasn’t enough time to arrange everything.

“He sold his Kawasaki and left things to help but we want to raise whatever we can, just to go towards the funeral and flowers.”

Kevin and Kelsey

Kelsey paid a heartrending tribute to her dad, saying: “I feel completely numb and lost. We all thought we had more time but I’m glad I could spend his final day with him. We grew so close over the years and I don’t know what I’m going to do without him.

“I’ll never again get to laugh at his jokes and his sarcasm. I’ll never get to share our long drives  again, talking about nothing, eating handfuls of Haribo and listening to the same 70s music album in the car.

“I’ll never get to watch sh*t TV with Dad again and laugh at the idiots on Four in a Bed. I’ll never get to have long conversations about how great David Bowie was with him again. I’ll never get to introduce Dad to any grandkids and have him walk me down the aisle.

“It’s not fair, it’ll never be fair. I just hope I made him proud. I will miss Dad every day and give him the best send off I possibly can. I love him with all my heart.”

Donations will go towards funeral and cremation costs, flowers, transport and the wake to be held at The Wheatsheaf with any further money being donated to Pilgrims Hospices.

Kevin’s funeral will take place on January 30 at 1.45pm at Thanet crematorium.

Family and friends attending are asked to arrive ten minutes early and to wear Arsenal shirts or biker’s gear if possible.

The wake will take place after at The Wheatsheaf  in High Street, St Lawrence, Ramsgate.

There will be a memorial book for anyone who would like to write a message for Kevin or to share any stories.

A donation box for Pilgrims Hospices  will be at the crematorium on the day.

Find the Gofundme page here