The club raised the money through the charity match they organised on May 7 in memory of Michael Griffiths and James Davies, two Nanytmoel players who tragically died in a car crash at the end of last year. Michael Griffiths played centre for the First XV, while James Davies was a back row for the seconds.
The club originally paid £1, 500 to the charity which raises funds for injured rugby players, through donations made around the time of the funerals but following a huge swell of emotion from club members and supporters,a decision was made to organise a memorial match.
Club secretary Alun James said, “We contacted the Welsh Charitable XV and their ex internationals were very happy to support our event. We produced a glossy programme and charged £5 for entry with a programme. We sold out and all our proceeds went into the pot along with other donations we received and the takings from raffles.
“It was a day of celebration of the boys’ lives and it was great to be able to present a £10 407 cheque to the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust for injured players, in addition to the £1500 we donated at the end of last year.”
Dennis Gethin, president of the Welsh Rugby Union and trustee of the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust said, “For Nantymoel Rugby Club to raise almost £12,000 in total is truly remarkable. It was such a tragic incident for the two young players to be killed but the day of the memorial match showed the Welsh rugby community at its very best.
“We are very grateful to the families of Michael and James for deciding to donate the money to the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust and to Nanymoel Rugby Club for organising a fantastic day. The WRCT is a very worthwhile organisation and the money will go towards helping severely injured players who are such an inspiration to us all.”
The proceeds of a special anniversary dinner held at the Castle Hotel in Neath on the eve of the Wales v England international match (August 12) to commemorate the 130th anniversary of the Welsh Rugby Union will also go to the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust.
