A huge crowd turned out to support the day of fundraising rugby events organised by the Matavesi family, which took place in Camborne on Saturday.

The day’s events were the idea of Sereli Matavesi and his three sons. Sereli suffered a life changing event in 2014; an operation to save his life caused him to be paralysed. He received treatment in Salisbury before moving to Marie Therese House in Hayle where he has undergone intense physiotherapy to aide his recovery.

He wanted to raise some funds for Marie Therese House and some other causes close to his heart.

Sereli said: “I am overcome with the response of people who have turned up today and supported us in so many ways. I think all of the good people in the world live not only in Cornwall but in Camborne. There are so many people who deserve a mention but can I just say thank you to everyone who has helped in so many different ways I am humbled”.

The fundraising day took place at Camborne RFC, where a number of events took place. There were three rugby matches, Marie Therese House Staff v Bawden’s select team, a Fijian Barbarians team V Camborne Vets culminating in the Matavesi Select XV versus a Camborne Select XV.

A crowd of just under 3,000 watched the main game the largest at the Recreation ground for some time. Some typical barbarians style rugby saw out of hand running rugby for the full 80 minutes with the final score being Matavesi XV 71 – 42 Camborne select.

The three Matavesi sons, Josh, Sam and Joel, played the first half for their Matavesi XV but then changed kit and played the second half for their beloved Cherry & Whites.

The captain of the Matavesi XV on the day was youngest son Joel, who said: “It was always going to be an emotional day for us all, but to run out onto my old pitch to that crowd was awesome. The day’s game just flew by but it was the first time that all three of us have played together in the Camborne colours and that was really special”.

Following the game the Boscastle singers entertained a packed clubhouse bar for over an hour before the fundraising auction was held. The auction of some prized rugby memorabilia raised almost £8000 pound with star lots of All Black’s signed Ma’a Nonu shirt and a signed England shirt donated by Cornish International Jack Nowell both fetching £1,000.

Josh Matavesi a Fijian international and current Ospreys player said: - The family really want to thank everyone involved with the day and paid gratitude to all the players and the army of people from Camborne RFC who had agreed to turn up out of season to support the day”.

The money from the day’s event is still being counted and a final figure will be announced next week. Money raised will go mainly to Marie Therese House and other causes close to the family’s heart.

Sereli was a rugby player being a Fijian Barbarian and his sons Josh, Sam and Joel have followed in his footsteps. Josh is a Fijian international, plays for the Ospreys in the RaboDirect Pro 12 League, Sam is also a Fijian international and plays for Plymouth Albion in the RFU Championship, whilst Joel the youngest brother also plays for Ospreys. The other connection that they all have is they have represented Cornwall but also their beloved Camborne RFC.