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Update re Remembering Rhis

Posted by JMC <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/xxxxx/info/user=JMC' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 27, 2023, 12:36 pm

Hi everyone

I haven't posted here for a very long time and it took me a while to find my log in details so I am starting a new thread as the thread notifying the board of Rhis' death is now well down the page.

I was very saddened to hear of Rhis' passing as like many here he had been a great internet friend since MLMB days (at least 14 years, possibly longer), and a huge support to me on numerous issues both on the various discussion boards we both contributed to and in private messages and emails. Like all of us (as he would say) he had his blind spots and "bonnet bees" but in my experience he was a generous, kind and genuine person whose heart was in the right place even when I didn't agree with his ideas. I am already missing his unique turn of phrase and incorrigible free spirit.

A couple of years ago he dipped into his meagre resources to sponsor me when I abseiled off a 160m building (despite being terrified of heights) to raise money for a wildlife cause very close to my heart. Despite telling him I wasn't asking for donations he nevertheless donated and then apologised that he couldn't give more. Given his generosity to me and his care for his own wildlife issue, I would like to share this request from his family that was relayed to the 5 Filters board.

If anyone would like to donate something for Richard Williams (aka Rhisiart Gwilym), he was a great supporter of Animals Asia. He cared deeply about the bile farm bears. If you go to their website there is a link to donate. Perhaps you could let your forum people know about this.

The link to donate in Rhis' memory is here if anyone feels moved to do so:
https://help.animalsasia.org/page/110202/donate/1?chain

Hopefully you are all keeping well.
Best wishes
J

Thanks JMC ..

Posted by t <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/xxxxx/info/user=TomskiD' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 27, 2023, 10:56 pm, in reply to "Update re Remembering Rhis"

Nice to see you back, at least on this, not very happy occasion. Thanks for relating the story about Rhys's kindness. Agree with you that he exuded this sentiment in bagful's. Nevertheless he could be pugnacious! Thankfully he wasn't a vanilla flavour, if you see what I mean. Despite his latest foibles re covid and such, he remains in my fond memories, probably forever. One of these occasions when you meet somebody that you can have an informed conversation with and they add an extra dimension to consider. Go well ..

Re: Thanks JMC ..

Posted by JMC <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/xxxxx/info/user=JMC' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 28, 2023, 11:18 am, in reply to "Thanks JMC .."

Thank you. Yes, I still have a long list of reading to follow up from conversations with him which alone will keep him in my thoughts for many years to come.

All the best to you too.
J

A man is not dead while his name is still spoken
Terry Pratchett

Thanks JMC

Posted by marknadim <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/xxxxx/info/user=marknadim' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 28, 2023, 9:51 am, in reply to "Update re Remembering Rhis"

Yes, he was a generous soul, and able to laugh at himself too.

Re the abseiling - Wow!
Did you manage not to look down the whole way?
I have a fear of heights but due to the builders we had in being messy sods I found myself going out on scaffolding 3 floors up, sometimes a single plank, to clear stuff. Amazing how we can get over fears for - in your case - a valuable cause.

Re: Thanks JMC

Posted by JMC <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/xxxxx/info/user=JMC' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 28, 2023, 11:04 am, in reply to "Thanks JMC"

I was incredibly moved by his generosity and that he apologised for not being able to spare more - and yes, I remember lots of "virtual" laughs with him over the years even though I never met him in person. It is great to know that some people from the three message boards did get to meet him in life at various times, and even visit and speak to him in his last few days which I know meant a lot to him. That people made that effort to see/speak to him, plus his donation to me, showed that his relationships with people he met online meant so much more than just being names on a message board.

"Did you manage not to look down the whole way?"

Yes. I didn't look either down or even out at the view as that would tell me how high up I was

... I stared at the wall/rope the whole time except for when I looked sideways at the 2 other people doing it with me. It took me ages to get over the edge (felt like about 20 minutes but I think it was only about 10...) and the photos taken of us from the top looking down on us when we were only just over the edge still totally freak me out seeing how far it was to the ground

. But I was proud of myself for doing it and between us our team raised $5400 I think - don't think I'd do it again though... Someone else's turn next...

Well done! Link to Rhis' favoured charity - donations to save 'bile bears' from living hell.

http://www.animalsasia.org/

Re: Well done! Link to Rhis' favoured charity - donations to save 'bile bears' from living hell.

Posted by JMC <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/xxxxx/info/user=JMC' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 28, 2023, 11:25 am, in reply to "Well done! Link to Rhis' favoured charity - donations to save 'bile bears' from living hell."

Thanks for sharing the link again Mark with it flagged up in the message subject line. The link in my original post goes directly to the page where you can specifically donate in someone's memory which is what I plan to do (when I get paid next week...)

Or at least it does when I click it - hopefully it also works for others.

Re: Well done! Link to Rhis' favoured charity - donations to save 'bile bears' from living hell.

Posted by grace <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/xxxxx/info/user=Grace' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 30, 2023, 9:32 pm, in reply to "Re: Well done! Link to Rhis' favoured charity - donations to save 'bile bears' from living hell."

Thanks for that JMC. I no longer post here either but was prompted to have a look just now and was saddened to read this. We had intermittent virtual contact over the years and he struck me as a genuine, kind and truly remarkable individual. As for "blind spots" - well who or what is the arbiter of those? I owe him. RIP Rhys.

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