03/28/2024

Wales News Online

Local & National News for Wales

BHF Cymru has thanked everyone at Caerleon RFC for hosting a fundraising event in memory of Grahaeme Thomas. Grahaeme, known as Big G, was a much-loved husband to Lesley and father to Sioned and Angharad, and he died unexpectedly due to a cardiac arrest in 2019.

Nigel Puddy, Caerleon RFC Club President, said: “Grahaeme started playing for Caerleon RFC in 1987 and played for many years in the 1st team, then moving into the Vets team until he was about 50 years of age.

“He was a very respected player and member of the club and was loved by everyone and he contributed hugely to the club. He was elected as 1st Team Captain on two separate occasions and proudly lifted the Newport & District cup at the end of the 1996-97 season at Rodney Parade.

 

“Grahaeme was also a very keen cricketer and played for Caerleon cricket club for many years.

“The charity event was a combination of the club and the Thomas family wanting to show his family and friends that he not been forgotten and the raise funds for the BHF.”

Over £1,760 has been donated to the BHF’s Gift of Hope page set up in Grahaeme’s memory, to fund BHF Cymru’s lifesaving research.

In Wales 340,000 people are living with heart and circulatory conditions. BHF area fundraising manager for Wales and Northern Ireland, Nikki James, said: “We are so grateful to Grahaeme’s friends and family for their on-going support for the charity. In the last 5 years [2017-2021], BHF has funded £9.5m worth of research in Wales, supporting the work of 64 researcher staff.

None of this would be possible without the amazing contribution of our wonderful fundraisers and volunteers.”

To find out about supporting the BHF go to www.bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-help

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