THE BEST friend of Dylan Rees, who has been in hospital for 18 months after a rugby accident, is flying half way around the world to play in a fundraising match at Cardigan RFC.

Geraint Czech, who is working in Darwin, Australia, as a flying doctor, will undertake an 18,000 mile round trip to take part in the match on October 25. He will fly in on the Friday, play the match on Saturday and return on Monday.

Geraint’s dad, Steve, said: “The two of them are incredibly close. They grew up with each other in St Dogmaels, went to school together and played rugby together. They are close as friends can be.”

Dylan, 34, a police officer, suffered a serious head injury while playing for Clwb Rygbi Caerdydd, in March last year.

He is still at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff where his parents, Graham and Gwen, from St Dogmaels, have been constant visitors.

Mr Rees, secretary of Cardigan RFC, said: “Although progress has been very slow, Dylan has shown great strength of character and determination in overcoming numerous setbacks. He is now able to respond to family and friends by hand and eye movements. The aim at present is to get him well enough to be transferred to a suitable neuro rehabilitation unit.”

The Dylan Rees Select XV will be a team made up mainly of former Cardigan RFC youth team-mates of Dylan. They will be playing Cardigan RFC President’s XV.

Mr Rees added: “As a family we would like to thank everyone for the love, support and generosity shown to us. It has been truly overwhelming and humbling and a great source of comfort to us all.”

A charity auction is being held after the match has prizes including foreign holidays in Cyprus, Florida and Malta, plus some top rugby memorabilia, tickets and hospitality packages as prizes.

For more information on the auction go to: page is : facebook.com/dylanreesfundauction