A rugby match in memory of a well-known local player has swelled the coffers of the South Cleveland Heart Fund (SCHF).
Dan and Steven Taylor held the game to remember their dad, Rick Taylor, who was a popular player, coach and referee.
Two of Rick’s former clubs - Stockton and Acklam - faced off in the charity match in Juny, which raised more than £2,200 through an auction, a raffle and collections.
Now Dan and Steven have presented the money raised to the SCHF, as their dad passed away aged 55 after suffering from the heart condition cardiomyopathy.
The Gazette launched our Help Save a Life campaign to help the SCHF raise £1m for the Cardio-thoracic Unit at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.
Dan, 33, said: “This was the third year we had held the game, the first two we donated the proceeds to the British Heart Foundation but after reading about the heart fund in The Gazette we decided it would be a great idea to donate a bit closer to home.”
Steven, 31, who plays for Stockton Rugby Club alongside his brother, said: “Everyone worked really hard on organising the event, and a lot of people have been very generous. We must say thanks to Marcus Collins at Acklam who did pretty much everything this year.
“Everyone got together, had a few pints, and raised a great amount and it is good to be able to donate the proceeds to the heart fund.”
The SCHF supports the Cardiothoracic Unit at James Cook University Hospital, providing additional equipment, training and research not funded by the NHS.
The charity has set itself its first ever fundraising target - to raise £1m to fund the major upgrade of an MRI scanner so it can deliver state-of-the-art scanning and a full Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CMR) service.
Work is now under way on the first phase of the project - replacing one of the four scanners, thanks to £2m from the hospital trust and money from the SCHF.
Dr Adrian Davies, chairman of the SCHF which he set up in 1994, said: “Any donation is incredibly welcome, but I think that Dan and Steven’s personal story make this one even more noteworthy.
“We are very grateful to them, and everyone who has helped.”
A race night is being held at Acklam Rugby Club in aid of the fund on October 24. Tickets are £5, including pie and peas, and are available from Sam Hussain on 07926 586398.
If you would like to help the charity, visit the website www.schf.org.uk or send a cheque, payable to South Cleveland Heart Fund and marked “scanner appeal”, to treasurer Keith Robson at 117 Roman Road, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, TS5 5QB.
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