ON Friday the Old Penarthians Rugby Club U7s (Titans) held an inaugural fundraising event in preparation for next season.

The club's mini and junior section has been growing over the last year and is now one of the largest in the area.

Mini and junior committee chairman Rob Crimp said: "Such a large squad of players need playing kit, transport and training equipment to sustain their high standards and winning ways. The club runs many fundraising events which help support our ever growing mini and junior section."

Two of the fathers of the squad members, Rod Hill and Dave Chandler, came up with the idea and volunteered to run a curry night. They gathered a team of helpers, including Renetta Chandler, Phil Lay and Dave Brown and enlisted the help of local businesses. Blues Electrical Ltd funded all the purchases and Katie’s Fruit and Veg store supplied all the vegetables free of charge and David Lush Butchers supplied the meat at a very favourable rate.

Rod and Dave looked at the menu and came up with six different curries, all made using traditional methods; no mean feat when you're expecting more than 70 adults and as many children! Over eight hours of cooking later, the duo and their team prepared the curries, rice, poppadums and various dips.

The coaches had lined up some entertainment; a raffle and a sweepstake for the Grand National to help towards the profits and a soon to be debated quiz! By 6pm the bar was filled with the smell of curries and people ready to support their local rugby side. On his first night, Jamie Morgan, the newly-appointed bar manager, had a baptism of fire.

As the curries were enjoyed, two of the coaches, Ritchie Craven and Stuart Barter, set about selling the raffle and Grand National sweep. Many local businesses had generously donated prizes to the raffle, including Eden Landscapes and Park Funeral Directors, whose donation of a free limo for the night brought a smile to many faces! The quiz was won by Iain Simmonds, Steve Davis and Gerard Powell who, under slight persuasion from Stuart Barter, gave the winnings back!

By the end of the evening, the night had cleared £700, with a final donation of £60 from the Park Funeral Directors to round up the figure.

Rod, Dave and team received a great round of applause, with all those attending commenting on the great quality of food and the fun.

The club would like to thanks all helpers, fundraisers and sponsors for their help in making the night so successful.