Shane's £10,000 boost for rugby charity

Backed by Wales and British & Irish Lions team mates Martyn Williams and Lee Byrne, the 2008 IRB World Player of the Year presented the money to the chairman of the WRCT, Tom Baxter-Wright. The money is a share of the funds raised during Williams' highly successful Testimonial Year.

The Ospreys wing, who will be hoping to help his side clinch a home Magners League Play-Off place against Newport Gwent Dragons tonight, adopted the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust as his charity for the year. In addition to the £10,000, the WRCT were also able to raise money on the night to further boost their coffers.

"I was determined to give something back to rugby, the sport that has given me so much, during my Testimonial Season," said Shane.

"There were many charities that came into the reckoning, but the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust seemed to me to be the most appropriate and closest to home. Every player takes a risk when they play the game and we all know the pain and frustration that comes with injury.

"But none of us can imagine what it must be like to suffer a major spinal injury and have not only the game taken away from you forever, but also so much more in your life. That's why I wanted to support the superb work of the WRCT and salute the bravery, resilience and commitment of those injured players who receive their support.

"Only last month the game lost Roger Addison, the Pontypool prop who suffered a broken neck way back in 1966. He lived on through incredible adversity to prove what can be achieved even after a bad injury.

"Roger was a shining example to us all of how to battle on and never let life get you down. There are many other incredible characters who are helped by the WRCT and I just hope that my small contribution to their cause will give them a boost.

"I know they are always backing me when I'm playing for Wales, so it is nice to be able to do something in return."