Following Bournemouth local John Keating’s passing on the 20th of December last year, Sam Bayston has set up a Go Fund me to help ease the financial burden of funeral costs and to take a worry away for John’s Family during a very difficult time for the family.
John Keating worked for AFC Bournemouth for thirty years, before he volunteered at various other clubs and continued to do walking football until his accident just before Christmas.
Keating would help out at multiple presentations and tournament nights for stars, Sam stated that he would always help out as he was “just one of them people.” and that it is the main reason why the fundraiser has been so successful.
Bayston described Keating as “the most selfless man ever”, and that “there was no task too small for John to go to”, and that he didn’t care if there was money involved, he just liked to help people.
Along with knowing John Keating, Bayston works with his son Jay at Stars Football Academy, which is a company that works closely with children, helping them develop as footballers and as people
Sam stated that John liked being good just to be good doing “anything for anyone”, saying that he started a “legacy”, something that Baystone and his team look to continue at stars.
Originally, Sam set the go fund me goal at £2.3k, and in the last 48 hours that number has almost doubled, with 120 people donating and the new goal set up for £4.5k, with £4,310 being donated.
Sam stated that he is not surprised about the amount of donations that have been made, as “John was always making people smile, whether that was people who knew him, or if he was smiling at a stranger in the street, he never failed to make someone’s day.”
Bayston said he felt “100% inspired” by the Keating family, stating that it “just worked hand in hand” before adding that “our vision is the same as the Keatings,” which is what helped Sam build that relationship for many years.
He later refused to take credit for the Go Fund Me, saying that “it’s people’s respect for John, and for what he did for the community,”
“John was just an incredible incredible person, and the donations speak for themselves, I hope we can inspire young people to create more Johns in the world.”
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