Cwmllynfell RFC: £10,000 raised for rugby player's family amid fresh calls for defibrillators

More than £10,000 has been raised in less than 24 hours to help the family of a 31-year-old rugby player who died after a game.

Dad-of-one Alex Evans was taking part in a memorial match for his home village of Cwmllynfell RFC against Crynant RFC in Neath Port Talbot on Saturday afternoon.

Mr Evans left the pitch at the club's Parc-y-Bryn ground after feeling unwell and later collapsed. He was treated by first responders and the ambulance service, but later died at the scene.

A fundraising page set up to help Mr Evans’s family has raised more than £10,000 in less than 24 hours.

Scores of tributes have been paid to Mr Evans, who leaves behind a partner and a young daughter.

Gareth George, president of Cwmllynfell RFC, wrote on Facebook that Mr Evans had, along with others at the club, taken part in a minute's silence before Saturday’s memorial match, which was organised in tribute to club stalwart Alun Vaughan who died earlier this year.

"It is difficult to comprehend that Alex Evans, who had Cwmllynfell RFC impregnated in his DNA, is now no longer with us,” said Mr George.

"Alex was one of our own. As a boy he used to sneak onto the team bus so he could watch his boyhood heroes in away games, and as a man he became one of those local players and supporters who played such a big part in the club's rebuilding - his enthusiasm, laughter and commitment to Cwmllynfell RFC was total.

"As club president I can only write to add my condolences to Alex’s family, but I also must pay tribute to the professional way the club officials and players reacted, the tremendous efforts made and dignity shown by both sides, the Gyrlais choir and all present at Parc y Bryn.

"Rugby in Wales as so often in times of adversity has always held communities together, and whilst as a club we now have some very dark days ahead, I am sure that Cwmllynfell RFC and the village community will pull together and give support to Alex's family, supported by the wider rugby community whose response and messages of support are heartwarming in these difficult moments.

"Cwsg yn dawel Alex bach."

Club secretary Gareth Evans said everyone connected with Cwmllynfell RFC and the wider community were "numb and raw" after Alex's death.

"Alex always had a cheeky smile and would do anything for anyone," he said. "He wore his heart on his sleeve. The club will be there for the family and we will do everything we can to help them.

"The number of tributes and messages coming in has been unbelievable. The rugby community has been brilliant. Donations have been made to Alex’s family from people who didn’t even know him - there’s been donations from France, Australia - and people have reached out from all over the world."

Mr Evans said there is a defibrillator at the ground but it was not possible to save Mr Evans. He said he wants to ensure a defibrillator is on every sports ground in Wales and will discuss that with the Welsh Rugby Union and other organisations.

South Wales Police has confirmed that they attended Cwmllynfell RFC at around 3.30pm on Saturday following reports of a cardiac arrest, and that HM Coroner has been informed of Mr Evans's death.

Mr Evan's death has sparked fresh calls for every sports club in Wales to have a defibrillator by the Welsh Conservatives. Shadow Minister for Sport and South Wales West MS, Tom Giffard, said: “My thoughts go out to Alex’s family and friends at this awful time. His tragic and untimely death highlights the urgent need for all sports clubs in Wales to have defibrillators. “We have long called for these important life-saving pieces of equipment to be installed at sports clubs, and now is the time for the Welsh Labour Government to act. “Defibrillators aren’t cheap, so Labour ministers needs to work with clubs and organisations across Wales and provide them with financial support. “The Welsh Government needs to move fast because the quicker we get them put in place, the more lives we can save.”

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We extend our deepest condolences to Alex Evans’ family, friends, and team-mates at this very difficult time.

“We have provided £2.5m funding, to continue for the next three years, the Save a Life Cymru programme which is working with organisations across Wales, including sporting organisations to raise awareness of the importance of CPR training and the use of defibrillators through the ‘Touch Someone’s Life’ campaign.

“The number defibrillators in communities and buildings across Wales is increasing constantly and we would encourage people to register them with the ambulance service.”