NEWPORT Gwent Dragons will don their whites to raise funds in tribute to their injured number eight Ed Jackson when they take on Usk in a charity cricket match next month.

Money from the Twenty20 game at the home of the South East Wales Cricket League side on Sunday, July 16 will also go towards the Rhiannon Jade Smith Memorial Trust, which was set up in tribute of the student teacher who died in a car crash near Llandevaud in March.

Jackson suffered a serious spinal injury when diving into a swimming pool in April and is currently intensive rehabilitation in hospital in the west of England.

Funds will be raised for the Matt Hampson Foundation, established by the former Leicester prop who was paralysed from the neck down after an accident when scrummaging for England Under-21s in training.

The Rhiannon Jade Smith Memorial Trust will support local junior schools, PGCE students, brain injury victims and road safety.

Usk chairman Julian Smith said: “It is a great honour to welcome the Dragons back to Usk.

“It is fantastic that the Dragons take time out of their busy sporting schedule to enable this popular sporting occasion to take place.

“The whole event is a wonderful experience and gives a fantastic opportunity to see your rugby heroes close up and in a slightly different environment.

“The fund-raising part is the serious part of this venture. As the popularity of this event and numbers of spectators increase year on year then so does the effort to raise money for local charities and worthy causes.”

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Dragons head of elite performance Huw Bevan said: “During pre-season the boys work hard on their conditioning so it’s important to look for an opportunity to do some team building activities.

“The charity T20 cricket event is something that we have played in for the last couple of years and the boys really enjoyed it so it’s something that we are keen to continue.

“Once again there are two great causes that we are raising money for so I hope that our fans come along to support us, as it will be a fun day for all who attend.”

The match will start at 3pm and entry costs £4 for adults and £2 for children. There will be live music, an auction and raffles.

Hospitality for the event is available from £400 plus VAT for a table of eight which includes a complimentary bar, private viewing area, company name in match programme, on-site parking and a hog-roast.

For more information about hospitality for the event contact 07833 45695.