A CHEQUE worth £17,495 gathered through funds at a charity rugby day was handed on Friday to Marie Therese House, writes Athena Chrysanthou.

The fantastic amount of money was given to the Hayle-based charity by the Matavesi family who organised the event last month at Camborne with the funds going towards renovations and extra equipment at the building.

In 2014, former Cherry and Whites star and Fiji Barbarian player Sireli Matavesi suffered life changing injuries which left him paralysed.

Following an operation, he was cared for at the house where he received intensive physiotherapy and support.

The treatment given to him was much appreciated by Matavesi, leading to the charity day which featured three rugby games and an auction.

He said: "I will forever been indebted to all the staff at Marie Therese house but also to all of the people that were involved in this day."

Matavesi's professional rugby playing sons, Josh, Sam and Joel, where heavily involved in organising the day and played in the Camborne XV v Matavesi Select XV game.

Ospreys player Joel, the youngest of the three sons, said: "It is fantastic to see the event being wrapped up and show our appreciation of all the support Marie Therese has given to our dad."

Last month, it was confirmed Fiji international Sam would be rejoining Camborne's first team squad.

Josh, the oldest sibling, is part of the Pacific island's squad as they prepare for the World Cup.