Blues make major donation to Velindre

Over the last six months Cardiff Blues has been fundraising for Velindre after it was announced that club captain Matthew Rees was to have an enforced spell away from rugby and treatment at the hospital.

The players and coaching staff at Blues went under the clippers to have their heads shaved after fans raised over £10,000. The club has also been busy selling 'Smile For Our Captain' wristbands to help raise funds and awareness.

Last month Cardiff Blues were delighted to announce that Matthew had been given the all-clear to return to full training and he made his successful return against Ulster Rugby last Saturday.

To celebrate his comeback - and all the brilliant fundraising of the last few months - the club were also delighted to officially hand over a donation of £20.432.32 to Velindre Fundraising prior to kick-off.

Matthew Rees has thanked everyone for their donations and also Velindre for their support during his treatment.

He said: "It's been fantastic to see so much money raised and really humbling for me. So much positive awareness has been raised and a large sum of money will now go to the inspiring and life-changing work of the Velindre Hospital."

Andrew Morris Head of Fundraising at Velindre said "We are incredibly grateful to Cardiff Blues, their staff, supporters and sponsors, and especially Matthew for this extremely generous donation."

"Aside from the wonderful donation, Matthew has worked tirelessly to help raise the profile of testicular cancer and Velindre - we are very grateful to him, and delighted that he is now back playing rugby."

Velindre Cancer Centre is the largest non - surgical cancer Hospital in Wales providing Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy and other specialised anti - cancer treatments for over half the people of Wales.

They have been providing support and care to cancer patients in South Wales for over 50 years. On average every year Velindre Cancer Centre provides care, treatment and support for over 130,000 out patients and day cases.

For more information visit www.velindrefundraising.com

Cardiff Blues would like thank everyone for their support in raising such a fantastic sum to help support the inspiring and life-changing work of Velindre Cancer Centre.