When I first became involved in disability sport on moving to Fife in the mid-70s, I met many amazing people who introduced me to a new style of volunteering. Up until then I had been heavily involved in school, rugby and community volunteering but turning my attention to disability sport introduced me to a new type of volunteering and a different kind of person.
Enter Ricky McMahon from the west of Scotland. I first met Ricky because he is the father of one of Scotland’s most talented wheelchair athletes – Susan McMahon Stevenson. Susan excelled in a number of sports but I had the privilege of working with her in swimming. Back in Fife I was working closely with parents of children with spina bifida and in the west of Scotland Ricky was an active parent member of a similar group. For the next 20 years plus or so our paths crossed regularly because of our shared interest in disability sport and children and young people with disabilities specifically.
Ricky was the” different kind of person” I referred to in my first paragraph. In truth he was at that time the most amazing volunteer I ever had the privilege of working with. I learned so much from Ricky about care, patience, resilience, thinking on the run, planning and preparation, selecting the right people for task in hand etc. There was a time when the first name on every staff team list for national and international events was Ricky McMahon. A Tulliallan multi spots training weekend coach/volunteer list was never complete until Ricky had registered his availability. Ricky was the best “wing man” you could ask for and on overnight projects you could guarantee he would be the first to volunteer for through the night duties.
The late Bob Mitchell was my first mentor in disability sport. Bob relied on Ricky so much and towards the end of his life when he was unable to drive Ricky was always there when required. Ricky was top of Bob’s Tulliallan volunteer list and Ricky’s role with Temple Swimming Club was massive. Like me Bob relied heavily on Ricky and recognised fully the extent of his caring and coaching qualities. The SSBA set up a multi sports session at Bishopbriggs Sports Centre that thrived because of input from Ricky and others. Ricky’s commitment involved everything from collecting youngsters in the minibus to coaching and care duties. An exceptional man and such a caring human being.
I must thank David and Elizabeth Colquhoun for sending me the attached photo of Ricky. In my photo archives I do not have an equivalent photo of the man I would describe as the most exceptional volunteer I have ever come across in disability sport. Ricky just had everything from immense stamina and staying power to amazing relationships with athletes and fellow volunteers/coaches. Ricky was much loved, highly respected and during his time in disability sport contributed so much to Scottish Disability Sport/SSAD during the early years.
Ricky will always be my role model disability sport volunteer and if this article ever reaches his eyes then it will make my day. Ricky, thanks a million for your many years of dedication to OUR cause on behalf of the many people whose lives you have influenced.
Richard Brickley OBE MBE Chairman DSF (SCIO) Board of Charity Trustees