Ben's rugby match raises charity cash

There was a big turnout at the play-off between two charity sides, made up of many of 36-year-old Ben Winson's former team mates.

Ben organised the match in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

The estate agent, who has been told his cancer cannot be treated, has worked for Strutt & Parker in Bridgnorth, Shrewsbury and Ludlow.

But outside work rugby was always his passion, having played with both the Golden Orioles charity team and Whitchurch Rugby Club in his time – so he called in a few old friends for the match at Luctionians Rugby Club near his home in Kingsland, north of Leominster, on Saturday.

Hayley Davies, a colleague at the Ludlow branch of Strutt & Parker, said the wet weather failed to stop scores of people turning up for the event.

She said: "It was an incredibly wet day but it was phenomenal to see the amount of people that turned up even in the pouring rain to support Ben.

"It basically poured down the whole time but everybody was smiling.

"They put a car by the side of the pitch for Ben to sit in, he really enjoyed it.

"With regards to the fundraising they have raised almost £13,500 on the Justgiving webpage, £4,500 was raised on the day through the raffle and there is a silent auction happening at the moment with a deadline of the November 21 where the prizes are fantastic and we are hoping that will raise another £7,000 at least," she said.

Speaking on Sunday, Ben spoke of how he was "overwhelmed" with the support received.

He said: "With the tremendous fundraising over the last two weeks, I was filled with anticipation all yesterday morning just as if I was due to play – and when I arrived I was overwhelmed with the fabulous turnout of both spectators and players alike.

"I've set foot on the paddock with all bar a few of the players who put their bodies on the line and was filled with pride that so many wanted to play.

"The Golden Orioles was made up of player from Yorkshire to London to Shropshire and Herefordshire.

"Whitchurch included many players who have been retired for some time and also welcomed to their ranks some Rugga Buggas, an invitational side based in Macclesfield that I played for annually for 10 years.

"It was great to see the spirit of the game played in awful conditions and in good humour.

"I was blown away by the crowd too – it was fantastic to see so many of you and I'm so grateful for your support," he said.

He said Strutt & Parker had also shown "unwavering support" to himself, wife Claire and daughter two-year-old daughter Harriet since his initial diagnosis in December 2014.

To donate or find out more information visit www.justgiving.com/Bear-rugby