A trainee teacher who died in a road tragedy in Co Down is being fondly remembered this week after a special drink was named in his memory.
Chris Rice, who was 29 and from Killyleagh, died when the car he was driving was in a collision with a tractor near Saintfield on October 7.
A final year student at Queen's University, Mr Rice had recently taken up a teacher training placement at his former school, St Mary's Star of the Sea Primary in Killyleagh.
However, while he was pursuing a career in education at the time of his death, Mr Rice had previously worked as a chef.
The Queen’s rower had worked for a time at Slims Healthy Kitchen on the Lisburn Road in south Belfast.
This week, the popular healthy eating restaurant revealed it was to honour its former employee by naming a drink in his memory.
The Carrot Top Smoothie is made with carrot, banana, almond milk and a secret combination of spices.
The drink, which comes in a cup bearing Mr Rice’s image, is being sold all this week from all of Slims Healthy Kitchen branches and all proceeds will be donated to Macmillan Cancer, at the request of Mr Rice’s family.
Restaurant owner Gary McIldowney paid tribute to his former employee.
"Chris was part of the Slim's family and the finest of gentlemen," he said.
"He was loved by all our staff and his cheeky smile was well known amongst regular customers, Genuinely, you couldn't have met a guy with a more positive outlook on life.
"His smile, persona and vibrance will never be replaced, he will always in our hearts.”
- On Saturday, at the Slim's Healthy Mini Kitchen on the lower level of Belfast's Victoria Square, friends from Queen’s University Rowing Club and staff from Slim's will also be raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support between noon and 3pm by taking part in a three-hour rowing relay.
