from Saltash Rugby Club Chairman Noel Hill:

I’m very pleased to announce that the recipient for our New Year’s Day pram race is George Thompson.

In January 2020 at age 17 George was diagnosed with Stage 4 High Risk Neuroblastoma which is a rare childhood cancer.

At the time he had just registered with our Colts. We were really excited about this as George has real rugby talent. Representing Devon at U15 and U16’s(Captain), Exeter Chiefs academy and Plymouth Albion U18’s. Unfortunately we were unable to benefit from his talent due to his condition.

George is now 19 and since then he and his parents have endured a punishing treatment regime. The Children’s Hospital in Bristol to start with for 25 weeks, now at the Royal Marsden in London, to where they have to travel once a month with an overnight stay each time. On top of this is an extra clinical trial which involves more travel. As you can imagine the time, worry and costs involved have been huge but I am pleased to say that all his treatment is heading in the right direction and he is responding well.

We all hope you will support George and the Club on New Years Day for the 45th trundling of the historic ( infamous?) Saltash RFC Pram Race. Over the years the Club players and supporters have raised many thousands of pounds for local individuals to help ease some of the worries of their situation, and of course whilst raising the money there have been almost as many adventures generated, these hardy souls are always more than happy to share reminiscences of their efforts if you want to join them in the Club afterwards !

You can also donate across the bar at the club and sponsorship forms will be available from Dave Honey and Tony Hopkins.

George is a lovely lad, always got a smile on his face and never seems to be phased by what he is going through. You will see him supporting our senior teams at the club when he can and I know that hopefully in the not too distant future George will be pulling on the Red, Black and Gold for Saltash RFC and we will look forward to that day. Thank you.