Eamon Hayes

We became aware of Eamon’s plight following an appeal by Danny Griffiths, Chairman of London Welsh RFC. Eamonn was an ex-player with London Irish, Richmond and London Welsh Amateurs and was a key player in setting up the Amateurs 1st XV under Ian Horgan in the years when the club was being kept alive below the professional game. Danny advised us that, late in 2019, Eamon had suffered a life-threatening and disabling stroke which left him with a very significant brain injury which requires months and months of rehab.

Eamon and his wife Judy have 2 boys, Frank and Billy and Judy had to give up her job. Eamonn did have a critical illness policy through his work which kicked in after 6 months but, it was only a fraction of his earnings and only just covered their mortgage.

Eamonn came home on 26th June 2020, after surviving Covid19 as well to be reunited with his wife Judy and two sons, Frank and Billy and not forgetting Bertie the Lab who were not able to see him whilst in isolation. His home has been adapted for him with a room downstairs and along with Judy he has two carers twice a day. At present Eamonn is still struggling with breathing, which he cannot do independently and eating plus he is unable to walk, however he has full mental capacity and his rugby mates have twice weekly Zoom meetings to aid his speech plus regular Face time calls. He is in as good a spirit as possible despite being trapped in a body that is not working properly and has conveyed his thanks to all those who have so generously supported his family.

Unfortunately, Covid19 has put paid to several hospitality events that were planned which would have raised some big figures but still to date we have raised £24,000 and beyond and we still need to support as much as can. It will still be a long hard road to recovery, but it is a step by step process and Eamonn has proven what a fighter he is. Judy the boys and Bertie love having him home and he loves being home!

As Danny said to us ‘His family have really hit rock bottom’... The Voyagers donated £2,000 to assist the family.