The Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust was set up in 1972 by the former President of the Welsh Rugby Union, Sir Tasker Watkins VC and the former Hon. Treasurer of the Welsh Rugby Union, Ken Harris, to support players who have been severely injured while playing rugby and their families.

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In the years since, the trust has donated millions of pounds in practical and social support for essential, life-changing projects such as house adaptations, specially adapted cars and rehabilitation, as well as offering financial contributions towards counselling, educational opportunities and even, retraining. But it’s not just the practical support that injured players and their families say they get from the trust, it’s the emotional support network and sense of family that money can’t buy.

“The Trust has been there for our family from the outset.” says Bethan Wright, whose husband Bryan Wright was severely injured whilst playing rugby. “We have benefitted from a range of support which has helped immensely with all of the strains that a life changing injury would bring.”

“We believe the Trust and fellow injured players have played an integral part in accepting the injury, and we think of them like our extended family.”

The Wales v England match at the 2023 Guinness Six Nations marked an historic moment for the Trust as the Prince and Princess of Wales officially opened the brand-new hospitality lounge at Principality Stadium for the exclusive use of the Charitable Trust’s network of injured players and their families to enjoy matchday hospitality.

Chairman of the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust and Ex Wales International, Rupert Moon, says, “The new space, named the ‘Sir Tasker Watkins Lounge’ by the beneficiaries of the charity in honour of the trust’s founder, and marks the trust’s 50th anniversary which it celebrated last year. The trust does incredible work and has a had huge impact on people’s lives, supporting severely injured players and their families over those 50 years.”

“Having a dedicated space at the stadium for the injured players and their families to enjoy on a matchday means so much to everybody. We’ve worked collaboratively with the injured players to find the location of the lounge and adapt access so it’s wheelchair accessible. There’s a genuine camaraderie between the players who have had to rely on each other for support in the face tremendous adversity, and we’re delighted that the Prince and Princess of Wales will be joining us to officially open the lounge and meet some of the injured players and their families.”

For more information on the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust visit, www.wrct.co.uk.