Tributes to young Horsham man killed in Christmas Eve crash

Ryan's been described as 'happy, funny, selfless and kind'

Author: Ryan BurrowsPublished 12th Jan 2021

Heartfelt tributes have been paid to a young driver from Horsham who died following a crash in West Sussex on Christmas Eve.

21-year-old Ryan Gleeson, of Millthorpe Road, was driving on the A283 Washington Road in Steyning when the incident happened.

Emergency services were called at 10.40pm after his BMW left the road and hit a tree close to Wiston House on December 24th.

Despite the efforts of the responders, he tragically died at the scene. No other vehicle or person is known to have been involved.

Ryan's girlfriend Jade and his football buddies, speaking also on behalf of his family, have paid this tribute to him;

"Ryan, also known as Dora, had many hobbies and activities in his spare time.

"He played football for TCPFC in the BBH 5-a-side league twice a week, a side now renamed Gleeson FC in his memory.

"Ryan was a real pleasure to have on the team. From the first game he played they knew he was golden, from the smiles and the noises he made on and off the pitch which made a huge impact on the team, from always smelling of Deep Heat in which he smothered himself in before and after games.

Ryan's football team - renamed Gleeson FC in his honour - is due to hold a charity match to raise money for his family

"We have decided to throw a fundraising football match in Ryan's name in the new year to help raise money for his family, where all his friends and some of his family will be playing in his memory.

"He loved his cars especially his Saxo that he named Sally, spending many hours with close friends working to make her perfect to the Ryan high standard as he used to call it. Money raised by the match will be used to help finish work on Sally.

"Even when he was at school while he always did his work he also had a good laugh with everyone.

"Once he went to sit down on a chair and some other kid in the class had taken the bolts out of the chair and he fell on his bottom and just looked so confused but he couldn't stop laughing after he had worked out why he had fallen.

"Many words have been used to sum up Ryan as a person - happy, funny, selfless, kind, always there when you needed him, descriptions that show how amazing and loved he was by his friends.

"He will be sadly missed by all his family and friends."

A GoFundMe page, set up to help Ryan’s partner and family with funeral arrangements and to raise money to finish his Saxo, had raised more than £6,800 as of Tuesday morning (January 12th).

Anyone who saw what happened and who has not already spoken to the police, is asked to email collision.appeal@sussex.pnn.police.uk‬ or ring 101, quoting Operation Finchley.

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