A RUGBY club has raised thousands of pounds to kick off a trust fund for the son of a player who died unexpectedly earlier this year.

On Saturday, Sudbury Rugby Club handed over a cheque for �5,000 to the family of Josh Rix who died suddenly while on a trip to Perth in Australia this January. Mr Rix, who was 23 at the time, had travelled to Australia to visit his ill mother but she died before he arrived. Several days later, while planning the funeral, Mr Rix had a heart attack and also died.

His death left a wife and a young son, Alfie, and together the rugby club and Josh’s family set up a trust fund for the child who is now 13 months old.

Josh’s elder brother, Elliott, was one of the family members who attended the presentation before the team’s first game of the season at home to South Woodham Ferrers.

He said: “We would just like to say a big thank you to everyone at the club. The money is fantastic and is a great start to the fund. But their support has gone beyond money and they have been there from the day we found out about Josh.”

The money was raised through numerous activities including commemorative shirt sales, luncheons and a touch rugby competition.

Sudbury Rugby Club chairman, Mike Beckett, said: “We are proud to help Josh’s family and will continue to do so.”