Plaque unveiled in memory of doorman Andrew McKain at JJ McKeown Bar

A MEMORIAL plaque has been unveiled in memory of a popular doorman who passed away suddenly last year.

Andrew McKain, of Whitehaven, who was head doorman at The Junction pub in Workington, died while at work in April last year.

He was well-known in pubs across west Cumbria and at Whitehaven Rugby League Club, where he also worked on the doors.

At the time of his death, the 28-year-old was preparing to welcome his first child with girlfriend, Chloe Aitchison. Their daughter, Avana, was born in September.

A memorial plaque has now been placed outside the entrance to the JJ McKeown Bar at the Whitehaven Rugby League ground, where Andrew would reside on match days.

It was unveiled by Andrew’s family before the Whitehaven V Workington game on Sunday. The plaque was funded by the JJ McKeown Fundraising Group.

Chloe, who also has two sons, Jonah and Grayson, said: “I’d just like to say a massive thank you to the JJ McKeown fundraising group and Whitehaven RLFC for thinking of Andrew and organising this memorial plaque for him. I am grateful beyond words.

“It’s so heartwarming to see how well thought of Andrew was and still is to so many people. He’s a huge miss to us all and I feel having this plaque in place is giving us the opportunity to be able to go somewhere to remember Andrew in a more positive way.

“I know this will be beneficial to the boys growing up as they will see this regularly playing rugby at the ground and of course for our daughter, Avana.

“Losing Andrew has been, as you can imagine, very difficult. I would like to underline how appreciative and grateful I am to everyone for the support and kindness that’s been shown since Andrew’s passing.”

Courtney Martin of the JJ McKeown fundraising group, said: “Andrew has been part of the Whitehaven Rugby League family for some time, along with his sister, Hannah.

“After the sudden passing of Andrew last year, the fundraising team from the JJ McKeown Bar felt they needed to do something for Andrew’s family and their colleague, Hannah, and decided that a permanent memorial should be sited on the JJ McKeown bar entrance, where Andrew resided match days, in his role as registered security.

“Andrew was a larger than life character with an infectious smile and time for all who met him. He is without doubt, a big miss at the ground on match days and although the memorial plaque is a fitting tribute, all at the club appreciate Andrew is irreplaceable.

“With the emphasis this year being that all at the club are one big family we hope Andrew’s family will find comfort that Andrew will be forever loved and remembered by all at the club and that we are all here for them if they ever need us.”

Courtney said there were also plans to establish a memorial garden within the grounds of the club, following several recent losses.

She said: “The club are being generously assisted in turning this hope into reality by Toman Contracting Limited and for this the club are eternally grateful.

“We would also like to say a big thank you to Baz McGlasson at B.M Engraving for the beautiful plaque.”

Source – News & Star