Late Irish Times columnist and Blues supporter Charlie Fell’s Town memorabilia has been donated to the collection at St Paul’s Community College in Waterford, striker Daryl Murphy’s old school.

Charlie passed away in August 2015 aged 46 after battling pancreatic cancer for 27 months.

Alongside his journalism, he wrote the Serious Money column for the Irish Times between 2006 and 2014, he lectured in finance and investment at the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business and the Institute of Bankers. In addition, he had previously lectured at Dublin City University, Trinity College and Manchester Business School.

Charlie was a devoted Ipswich Town fan and his wife Ann very generously passed on Charlie’s memorabilia, adding to the collection in the school’s metalwork room.

It was through the links forged between Ipswich Town, TWTD and the official Ipswich Town Irish Supporters Club that Ann found a place where Charlie’s precious Ipswich souvenirs could be displayed and appreciated by many young people for years to come.

During his final months, Charlie selflessly campaigned to improve the level of public awareness of pancreatic cancer, driven by the need for greater funding of research to improve survival rates in Ireland.

Currently the five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is just under nine per cent. He also said there needed to be more dedicated support for people with the disease.

Last month Ann completed a tandem skydive and raised over €11,000 (£8,600) for Breakthrough Cancer Research, an outstanding achievement. Ann was extremely appreciative of the students from Barry Williams’s metalwork classes at the school who sponsored her €100.

Speaking about the fundraising effort, Barry said: “It is tremendous to see the football and education communities come together in the metalwork classes of St Paul’s Community College to help in the fight against this terrible disease that has touched all of our families.

“The students generously donated to the cause and it is an important aspect of education to show students that some aspects of life can be difficult and challenging, and the value of supporting each other in these times.

“What Ann has done in Charlie’s memory is tremendous in raising much-needed funds and awareness, we were honoured to be part of it.”

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