It’s a measure of the comraderie of the fx interbank markets that when someone in our midst goes before their time it leaves a real hole in our hearts, and sadly my time in forex has witnessed a few untimely departures, both then and since.
Such a man was Richard Langhorn, a good friend to many of us, and a former stalwart of the Harlows Spot AUD broking desk as well as being a fine No 8 for London rugby union club Harlequins, eventually winning an England A cap on tour in Canada
Langers and his famous mile-wide grin
But this day 20 years ago brought to an end to all that when his parents, Steve and Monique, turned off his life support machine with Richard having been in a coma for a week. Langers had gone into hospital for an operation to tighten up a few vertebra due to his 6′ 7″ frame and the many years of scrummaging that had taken its toll, but instead he suffered a fatal heart attack.
He was just 29 years old
No words can describe the impact that “the big man” made on all that met him, on or off the pitch, and it is no surprise that when Quins colleague, Lions legend and close friend Peter Winterbottom decided to set up The Richard Langhorn Trust in Langers’ honour we raised over £900,000 to help disadvantaged and disabled youngsters. Bikes were cycled to Paris and weary bodies found themselves at the top of Mont Blanc in a variety of fund-raising events.
It has been my privilege to work with many of those Quins legends such as Wints, Mick “The Munch” Skinner, Kent Bray, Will Carling, Brian Moore, Jason Leonard and Tony Copsey as well as many fine people outside the world of rugby in helping achieve those goals, and last month we officially closed the RLT with a final send-off and raised another glass or three to the legend that is Richard Langhorn. In attendance at Twickenham’s Rose Room were his Mum, sister Vanessa, Uncle Carl and a whole host of faces from the world of rugby.
On behalf of the RLT can we thank all of you out there who helped support us over the past 20 years. Your contributions have been invaluable in helping the lives of many, many, youngsters through the facilities we have offered in sailing and wheel-chair basketball to name just two.
Langers and the precious white jersey
Langers’ motto for life was “We’re not here for a long time, but a good time”. Well, sadly the man wasn’t here for a long time but his untimely passing meant that many kids have been able to have a good time, and continue to do so thanks to that wonderful support.
In these days of much discussion about the ethics of the interbank market it is timely that we should remember the good side too. Wherever you are in the world do raise a glass to this extraordinary guy who is sorely missed by many.
Thank-you.
