Nearly 28 miles, one powerful purpose: Derby Day Dander raises £10,760 for Air Ambulance NI

What began as a tribute between friends became a remarkable show of community strength, determination and love — and by the time the final whistle approached in Coleraine, more than £10,000 had been raised in Lydia Ross’s memory.

On Friday 20 February, members of Block F Supporters Club completed the “Derby Day Dander”, walking almost 28 miles from Ballymena Showgrounds to Coleraine Showgrounds ahead of the 7.45pm kick-off between Ballymena United and Coleraine FC.

The walk was organised to raise vital funds for Air Ambulance Northern Ireland and carried out in memory of Lydia Ross.

The group was joined by Graham Bell of the Coleraine FC stewards team and Coleraine FC Chairman Henry Ross, with more Coleraine supporters stepping in along the route — a derby day rivalry softened by a shared cause.

By the end of the journey, an incredible £10,760 had been raised. Donations are still coming in.

A loss that reshaped everything

Paul Ross with his beautiful daughter Lydia

In December 2023, the Ross family suffered unimaginable tragedy when they lost their daughter and sister, Lydia, in a car accident.

Lydia was a huge Ballymena United fan. Block F was her place — part of a small, tight-knit group who attended games together, home and away. It’s where she sat. It’s why the unofficial supporters’ club carries the name.

Since losing his youngest daughter — the one he travelled to every home and away match with — Lydia’s father Paul has channelled his grief into action. Determined that her name would continue to make a difference, he began raising funds for Air Ambulance Northern Ireland.

His efforts have been relentless.

Arriving in Coleraine town centre; remembering Lydia… Forever 21

Paul organised the sale of small blue ribbon badges at Irish League games across the country and further afield. He also brought together eight local celebrities to play four rounds of golf in one day, again raising money for the life-saving charity service.

The Derby Day Dander was born from a simple idea among friends: if Paul could do all that, what could they do?

From Warden Street to the North Coast

With Ballymena United travelling to rivals Coleraine on 20 February 2026, the group set themselves a challenge — walk from the famous Warden Street entrance of Ballymena Showgrounds to Coleraine Showgrounds in time for kick-off.

The planned route was “roughly 26 miles”. On the day, it stretched to almost 28.

Along the way, supporters beeped car horns in encouragement. Others stopped with vital food supplies. Donations flowed in. And as word spread, more fans joined the walk.

Organisers have offered “huge thanks to all the support, from donations to people beeping horns and those who stopped along the way with vital food supplies.”

It was football, yes. But it was also something much bigger — a reminder of how deeply community runs in Ballymena, and how loss can be transformed into purpose.

More than a fundraiser

To date, £10,760 has been raised, with donations still being accepted via the dedicated JustGiving page.

The Derby Day Dander stands as another chapter in a growing legacy — one built on love for a daughter, loyalty to a club, and support for a charity that provides a critical emergency service across Northern Ireland.

Those wishing to support the cause in memory of Lydia can still donate via the JustGiving page:

Donate here