Tuesday 20 November 2007

Give it to Ron Campaign raises £10k in a month

The Give it to Ron' campaign has taken less than a month to hit its initial £10,000 target to pay for Chester City legend Ron Davies to have a hip replacement operation.

Wear and tear from his playing days has caught up with the former Seals striker, who was known for his trademark leap and awesome heading ability.

That strain has left him in great pain and facing the prospect of needing a wheelchair if he did not have the operation he needs near his home in New Mexico, USA.

The bulk of funds and activity has been generated by Southampton fans and the club, which passed on £1,754 from programme sales against Davies' former club Cardiff last month.

However, Davies' other clubs, Norwich City and Chester City, and their fans have been active in helping to raise awareness of his plight and to raise funds. Articles appeared in the Chester press and City's matchday programme recently.

Campaign chairman Duncan Holley said: "Ron has been knocked out by the whole thing.

"Having been forced to retire from work and suffering from arthritis in his hip, there is no doubt that he was at a low ebb when we first contacted him back in June. Since the start of the campaign he has been reconnected to old friends and colleagues and has met and talked
with many new acquaintances.

"All have made him feel that there is life in the old dog yet."

Speaking from his home in Albuquerque, Davies said: "I just can't believe there are so many nice people in the world. I've had some great calls from old friends who I'd lost contact with and I've spoken to some wonderful people who are planning to do some great things for me. I just can't believe it."

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