THE chairman of Rhyl Rugby Club has expressed his gratitude for the support shown to the club following the arrival of an unauthorised encampment at its playing fields.
Roughly 15 vehicles were believed to have parked at Tynewydd Fields on Friday, May 5, causing the club to subsequently close for the remainder of the bank holiday weekend.
It re-opened on May 9 after the encampment left, but a wedding reception and the Monday night fun club for adults with special needs were among the events which were cancelled at the premises.
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A spokesperson for Rhyl Rugby Club added that there is “absolutely no doubt at all” that damage to its playground was caused by members of the encampment.
An online fundraiser page set up on “GoFundMe” to replace the equipment has raised £1,905, surpassing its £1,500 target less than 24 hours after it was created.
Tony Evans, club chairman, said: “I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks for all the support and kindness that has been shown by our community to the club following the events of the coronation weekend.
“We have been truly humbled by the response.
“This was typified by the response to the GoFundMe appeal to replace the damaged play equipment, which reached its target in under 24 hours.
“The new equipment has been ordered and all surplus monies will help to replace the stolen junior equipment which was taken from the storage container.”
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Mark Fell-Crook, who coaches the club’s under-sevens and under-14s teams, set up the fundraiser page after irreparable damage was caused to the playground’s slide.
The playground was originally opened in July 2020, and was built in memory of club legend, John Hardy.
Mr Evans added: “I would also like to thank all our staff, led by our manager, Lee Blackmore, for their hard work and attitude, as ever.
“For those who are unaware, we are a not-for-profit club which reinvests all profits generated back into providing both a community facility and sport for hundreds of children and adults.
“The club is governed by a volunteer board of directors and no-one, absolutely no-one, receives a penny for the many hours they put in, whether directors, coaches, players, or other volunteers.
“Since relocation, the club, through the support of you all, has become a real community hub in so many ways at a time when it is needed more than ever.”
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