Wheelchair rugby cup helps raise £10,000 for Hope House

An annual wheelchair rugby cup is returning for 2022 having so far helped raise more than £10,000 in memory of three-year-old Thomas Jones.

The Peacock Cup is held in memory of the Wrexham toddler who died suddenly in 2018 after going to bed and not waking up just two days after his third birthday. It is organised by Thomas’s uncle Harry Jones, who plays for the North Wales Crusaders.

The 2022 tournament will be held on Sunday, May 22 at Glyndwr University in Wrexham and will be competed between three-times champions North Wales Crusaders, last year’s runners up the Dundee Dragons, Torfaen Tigers, Sheffield Eagles and West Wales Raiders.

“The work Hope House and Tŷ Gobaith do in the community is remarkable, and having seen how much they helped my family after Thomas died, it really does mean to world to us to have been able to raise such a great amount for the charity since 2018,” said Harry.

“We have to cancel one Peacock Cup due to Covid, and last year’s event was not able to have spectators, but this year we should be able to have crowds back, so please come along and enjoy a day of great sport as well as supporting an amazing cause.”

Thomas’s mum Sophie Jones said: “Our goal had been to raise £10,000 for the hospices by the fifth anniversary of Thomas’s death, and for us to have hit that amount through various events and the Peacock Cup is absolutely amazing. Thank you to everyone who has supported us and helped us to raise money for the hospices, which mean such a great deal to us as a family.”

As well as the tournament itself Harry also arranges a raffle and auction, both of which have contributed massively to the amount which has been raised. There are regular pieces of signed rugby memorabilia available for bids and you can search ‘North Wales Crusader Wheelchair RL’ in Facebook to find their group and see more.

For the first time the Peacock Cup will have Wrexham Lager as a partner, alongside sponsors Enbarr Foundation, Ifor Williams and A&D Environmental. There are other sponsor opportunities, so if you are interested in being involved please contact Harry Jones on [email protected].

You can also donate to Thomas’s memory fund at www.thomas-jones.muchloved.com where all proceeds are donated to Hope House Children’s Hospices, or of you would like to donate directly you can do at www.hopehouse,org,uk/donate.

The Peacock Cup if free to watch at the Glyndwr Sports Centre from 10am.