Friends and family gathered in Sheffield this past Sunday for the William Ramsay Cup, an annual charity football tournament held in memory of Jack Ritchie. Jack, a 24-year-old teacher, took his own life in 2017 after a long battle with gambling addiction. The event serves as both a tribute to his life and a platform to raise funds for the charity Gambling with Lives, which works to prevent gambling-related suicides.
Doug Daly, a close friend of Jack, organized the inaugural tournament shortly after his passing. During the event, Daly noted how their group of friends grew up surrounded by football culture but remained unaware of the pervasive nature of gambling advertising in the sport. He emphasized that the tournament now acts as a catalyst to bring critical attention to an issue often hidden in plain sight.
Charles and Liz Ritchie, Jack’s parents, attended the match to support the cause. They described their son as an intelligent, popular young man whose struggle with betting terminals became a tragic, life-ending burden. They remain vocal advocates for change, specifically calling for stronger government intervention to address what they classify as a growing public health crisis.
As the tournament continues to run annually, it remains a focal point for the community to acknowledge the real-world impact of gambling addiction. The organizers hope that by sharing Jack's story, they can prevent other families from experiencing similar losses while pressuring officials to implement stricter regulations on the betting industry.