Bedwas RFC Launches Appeal for Donations to Repair Club After Storm Dennis

In the early hours of Sunday 16 February, the River Rhymney adjacent to Bedwas RFC burst its banks and flooded into the rugby club.

This sudden flooding came without warning and absolutely devastated the club, its function room, lounge, bars, cellar, changing rooms, furniture and outdoor facilities. Almost all of the club’s property has been destroyed and this includes, chairs, tables, carpets/flooring, bar equipment and pumps, bar stock, entertainment gear, white goods, to name but a few. Plus, there is likely to be deeper damage to the building which will need to be remedied as well as the impact of the flooding on our playing surface. 

As if this wasn’t hard enough, Bedwas RFC has been made aware that its insurance policy does not cover flood damage. Now, all of the labour, money and resource needed to repair this community hub will need to come from donations. 

Bedwas RFC has proudly stood at the heart of our village since 1889 and with the help of our wonderful community it will continue to do so, but we need your help. Any donations will be gratefully accepted by the club as we begin the long process of getting the club back on its feet.

We are a not-for-profit business which re-invests its money into playing facilities for mini, junior, youth and senior rugby. Our clubhouse is an affordable community resource used for parties, training, weddings and wakes alike. We need to get the facilities back up and running so we can afford to keep rugby – at all levels – going at Bedwas RFC. 

Club director, Will Rees said: “The flooding from Storm Dennis came without warning and has devastated the club and its facilities. We’re all absolutely gutted.

“We’ve been heartened by all of the messages of support we have had from the local community and across the world of rugby. Our hearts also go out to our neighbours at Cross Keys RFC, Blackwood RFC, Newport HSOB RFC, Risca RFC and all sports clubs, homes and businesses that have been affected.

“The clean-up operation down the club begins today and we’re grateful for all the help of volunteers and offers of assistance for local businesses. We’ve taken a big blow in learning that our insurance policy will not cover flood damage and so now we will be relying on fundraising to get us back on our feet.

“We will keep the public posted with regular updates from the clean-up operation as we learn the extent of the damage and just how much it will cost to restore the club to be fit to trade, but we can be sure that the cost of repairs will likely run into the tens of thousands.”

Donations to Bedwas RFC’s fundraising campaign can be made via GoFundMe on this link: https://tinyurl.com/ral6hk9

Enquiries to Bedwas RFC regarding our fundraising campaign can be made to Will Rees via email: rees.w@icloud.com