A 24-hour five-a-side rugby match at the top of Pen y Fan will take place next weekend in memory of Andrew Williams.

The event will raise funds for the Wales Air Ambulance and three other charities Myeloma UK, Rockwood and the Firefighters' Charity.

Rugby stalwart Andrew, who was known as Gonzo, passed away last August following a battle with Covid-19 and Multiple Myeloma Cancer.

Up to ten of Andrew’s friends and family will take part in the fundraiser at the highest peak in the Brecon Beacons, on Friday 17 June before 6am and the event will finish on Andrew’s birthday Saturday 18 June before at 6am.

The fundraiser titled ‘Gonzo’s Game’, was established after a committee of family and close friends of Andrew, from Brecon, came together to plan the game.

The committee includes Andrew’s fiancée Lisa Jenkins, his cousins Alan Taylor and Sarah Pritchard, his best friends Lyn Parry and Martyn Keylock, another close friend of the family Glenda Evans and good friend Des Lally.

The team playing in the 24-hour match, include his family and good friends from his immediate friendship group. Andrew’s eldest son Ryan will also play a key part in the game itself.

The Wales Air Ambulance Charity needs to raise £8 million every year to keep its emergency helicopters in the air and its rapid response vehicles on the road. 

The 24/7 emergency service offers advanced critical care and is often described as a ‘Flying ED’. The on-board consultants and critical care practitioners are highly skilled and carry some of the most pioneering medical equipment in the world. They can deliver blood transfusions, administer anaesthesia, and undertake emergency operations at the scene of the incident, before flying the patient directly to specialist care.   

Helen Pruett, Community Fundraiser for Wales Air Ambulance Charity said: “Good luck to everyone who will be taking part in the 24-hour rugby five-a-side match in memory of Andrew Williams at the top of Pen y Fan. His fiancée Lisa, family and friends have come together to fundraise for four important charities that were close to Andrew’s heart. Thank you for raising funds for the Wales Air Ambulance. Fundraisers, like this one, will enable us to continue to be there for the people or Wales, via air or road, when they need us most.”