Seven-year-old donor kidney recipient to lead Redruth RFC out on pitch (From Falmouth Packet)

Seven-year-old donor kidney recipient to lead Redruth RFC out on pitch

10:52am Wednesday 5th September 2012 in News

Seven-year-old Oceanna Thomas will lead the Redruth RFC onto the pitch for their game against Launceston on Saturday for a match being billed as “The Inferno in Kernow”.

Oceanna underwent surgery last October and received a new kidney which was donated by her father, Nathan Thomas, a regular member of the Redruth team.

She is doing really well and will be the Reds’ guest of honour for Saturday’s game. Reds’ commercial manager, Jeff Knuckey, is sure the club will make it a day to remember. “Redruth is a family, community club and we always do our best to look after our own,” he said.

“Oceanna will come out with the team as their special mascot, will receive a club shirt and a Gilbert ball autographed by the team. She will have photographs taken with the team and will be made an honorary junior vice-president of the club.”

Nathan, who is looking forward to the game, told the Packet: “This will be a very special day for Oceanna. There will be a collection at half time to raise money through the Wallace and Gromitt Grand Appeal to be shared between the renal unit at Bristol’s Children’s Hospital and the children’s unit at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro.

“Oceanna received magnificent treatment and care in both hospitals.”

There will be plenty to keep Oceanna and her friends occupied on the day including a bouncy castle, laser tag and inflatable sumo wrestling and jumbo boxing. Red Youth will be performing at half time and Heart FM will be playing music and running competitions all day.

The Falmouth Marine Band and Kernow King will be on hand to entertain the troops, literally, as all members of the armed forces and emergency services will receive free entry. St Austell Brewery are back at the “Rec” and to celebrate Tribute will be £2 all day from the clubhouse and the two outside bars.

The New Red Shop will be bursting with new season kit from Gilbert and every customer will receive a free raffle ticket giving them a chance to win a jumbo blow-up rugby ball.

The new Hell’s Kitchen will be in full swing in Hellfire Corner and there will be an outdoor barbecue. The jackpot for the accumulator raffle will be £250 and will be drawn at half time and there will be a special lucky programme number prize.

Post match, the action will move to the clubhouse with a disco with Stu DJ Retina from 8pm.

Fund raising for the Oceanna Grand Appeal is continuing into the autumn. On October 5, there will be an auction, raffle and live music at the Penventon Hotel, in Redruth. Tickets are £6. Anyone requiring more information shold telephone Nathan on 07776147077 or email oceannagrandappeal@hotmail.co.uk