NEWBRIDGE RFC are planning more events to back Ken Waters' drive to raise funds for motor neurone disease charities after a tribute dinner for their former hooker swiftly sold out.

The 57-year-old, who played for the Welfare Ground side in the late 1980s and early 1990s and won a Wales cap against Western Samoa at the 1991 World Cup, was diagnosed with the terminal illness in 2017.

Inspired by the efforts of ex-Scotland and Lions lock Doddie Weir, who was recognised in the New Year Honours list for his campaigning for MND, Waters is going on a fundraising drive.

'Bridge have rallied behind their former front rower and a dinner in the clubhouse on January 24 – called "Life as a Hooker!" – quickly sold out.

The club are planning other events to raise awareness of the disease and have set a target of bringing in £2,000 for the South East Wales branch of the MND Association. 'Bridge are closing in on that figure with £1,340 already donated.

"I feel very humbled there are people out there who wish to support me and help raise funds to highlight the horrible disease," said Waters.

"Raising funds for the South East Wales branch of the MND Association is really important to me as it means that the money raised will stay in Wales and help the local branch as they don't even have their own facility at present."

To donate to Waters' appeal visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/nrfc-kenwatersmnd