More than £12,000 raised for family of killed Anglesey dad Henry Ayabowei

More than £12,000 has been raised to help the family of an Anglesey man killed outside a Bangor nightclub.

Dad-of-two Eskinumo Ayabowei, better known as Henry, was found unconscious outside Peep in Bangor following reports of an assault in the early hours of April 1.

The 27-year-old died in hospital the following day.

Kieren Terence Roberts, 26, of Penrhyn Avenue, Maesgeirchen, near Bangor, has appeared in court accused of his murder.

A series of fundraisers were organised on Anglesey, Bangor and beyond to support his partner, Melicia, and his daughters.

Henry had played football for a number of local teams and clubs including Llanfairpwll, Llangefni and Trearddur Bay donated some of their gate receipts towards the fundraising effforts.

Eleri Dennis, a friend of Henry’s partner, Melicia, set up an online crowdfunding page just a day after his passing.

She said “The initial target was £1,000, which I thought was too optimistic to be honest. But that goal was reached within just 30 minutes.

“To keep having to reset these targets and watching them being smashed time and time again was surreal.

“Reaching a total of £12,175 was absolutely phenomenal. I’d like to thank everyone who has shown their support to Melicia and the family at this very sad time.”

A series of fundraisers are still to be held including next Saturday when former teammates and students will take part in a memorial match at Bangor City FC featuring the current Bangor University Football Club playing against an ‘Old Boys Classic XI.’ Kick off is at 2pm.

The next day will see a memorial seven-a-side tournament at Gaerwen FC, which will also include a family fun day, starting at 10am. Anyone who can help out or who wishes to enter a team for the tournament, should contact Gaerwen FC’s chairman, Mathew Thomas on 07452 831411.

Eleri added: “During a collection held at Peep nightclub, I saw just how much Henry was loved by the sheer volume of colleagues and friends coming up to me.

“Many shared their stories and memories of Henry. No one had a bad word to say about him – it was all love.

“So many people have shown incredible support with endless generous donations, words of sympathy, texts and phone calls.

“Having spoken to them, I can’t wholly express how truly grateful Melicia and the family are to everyone and how overwhelmed they’ve been by the response and support that has been shown.

“I understand that nothing can ever replace what this little family have lost. Henry was a wonderful father, a devoted partner and a precious son, but what the local community and region has shown is that there is still a huge amount of love in this world.”