The weather may have been more like that for a Glastonbury Festival but not even the rain could dampen the spirits of all those involved in the third annual Nathan Cubitt Tag Rugby Day at Keighley Rugby Union Club last Sunday.
“It was a fantastic day,” said Nathan’s mum Sue, “and we cannot thank everyone enough for helping out, as without them this sort of thing just wouldn’t happen.”
A record entry of 21 teams took part in the two events – men’s and mixed – which were organised by Try Tag Rugby, and about £2,000 was raised.
This will be split evenly between the Nathan Cubitt Trust Fund and the Matt Hampson Foundation, which inspires and supports young people who are seriously injured due to sport.
The senior winners were the Bees Knees, who included Nathan’s uncle Ronnie Kelly.
The men from Wagon Lane defeated the Leeds-based Lost Loiners 6-2 in the final, while Garlic Breed were the mixed winners.
Money was raised via entry fees and food sales, while there was also a bouncy castle, a tombola, a barbecue, a hog roast, courtesy of Bradford & Bingley centre Richard Tafa, face painting and children’s entertainment, which was organised by Nathan’s sister Naomi.
Ronnie said: “Nathan is happiest when he is outdoors having fun, so he really enjoyed the day, and his face was gleaming at times.”
Other events coming up for Nathan, who broke his neck playing for Keighley under-17s in 2011, include a Hawaiian Aloha Day in the clubhouse on Saturday, Sep-tember 20.
“It will be an end-of-summer party,” said Sue, “and there will be a barbecue if the weather permits. Otherwise it will be finger food.”
Further ahead there will be a winter ball at the Mercure Blackburn Dunkenhalgh Hotel and Spa, which will jointly raise money for Nathan and colt George Claxton, who was injured playing for Blackburn under-15s.
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