Death of inspirational teen rugby star spurs Perthshire hotel boss to raise money for youth mental health charity

The death of an inspirational teenage rugby star has spurred a hotel boss to raise money for a youth mental health charity during the Rugby World Cup.Issy Phipps was a 17-year-old with the world at her feet when she tragically died in April this year.An England touch rugby internationalist and European gold medal winner, Issy was popular with peers, a talented musician and student and planned to embark on an elite rugby programme.The news of her passing came as a shock to everyone who knew her, including McKays Hotel Bar and Restaurant owner Richard Drummond, who had known her personally since early childhood.A shared love of fun meant Richard and Issy enjoyed a connection and Issy had discussed working a season at McKays in Highland Perthshire; something which, sadly, never came to pass.Now, after learning about the work of mental health charity BraveMind, which works with rugby clubs and schools to promote young people’s wellbeing, Richard and the McKays staff are to undertake a range of initiatives to support the charity’s mission during the World Cup in France.BraveMind, founded by ex-rugby player Simon Trower, is also supported by Issy’s parents, who want to help teenagers like Issy to navigate mental health challenges and reach their potential.Issy’s mother Sarah recently met the Princess of Wales at Maidenhead Rugby Club, gifting her a pair of earrings in Issy’s memory, which Kate promised to wear.“I first met Issy when she was seven.

She was full of life and very talented,” said Richard, who attended the funeral celebration of her life, fulfilling the request to wear a rugby top by adorning a Scotland shirt.“Issy had talked about doing a summer season at McKays because she also had relatives in Scotland.