SEVEN Cornish rugby personalities, including Paul Cholwill of Bude Rugby Club, got the chance to meet, mingle and dine with a set of top national rugby legends, and top chefs, whilst raising £40,000 for charity.

Rock-based Sharp’s Brewery sponsored Hospitality Action’s inaugural ‘rugby legends’ dinner recently at Deer Park Country House Hotel, Devon, and invited each of its local sponsored rugby teams to nominate their own club hero to attend the evening with some of rugby’s greatest legends.

The players and Sharp’s club representatives joined over 200 guests at the prestigious dinner, organised to raise funds for Hospitality Action.

With more grants being awarded in the South West than anywhere else in the UK, the importance of the charity could not be more relevant.

Rugby legends, including former England and Bath player David ‘Flats’ Flatman, former England captain and Cornishman Phil Vickery, former England player Jeremy Guscott, current England rugby union player Danielle ‘Nolli’ Waterman, Welsh rugby union and Worcester Warriors scrum half Matt Powell, Exeter Chiefs hero Gareth Steenson, ex-England rugby lock Nigel Redman and former England stars Alex Brown, Trevor Woodman and Andy Hazell, joined together with a raft of renowned chefs who created the four-course menu.

Paul Ainsworth, Dominic Chapman, Josh Eggleton, Jude Kereama, Nathan Outlaw, Guy Owen, and Michael Wignall, worked together to serve the triumph of dishes.

Rachel Williams, communications manager at Sharp’s Brewery, said: “We were delighted to sponsor Hospitality Action’s very special rugby dinner and it was brilliant to have our sponsored Cornish and Devon rugby clubs join us on our tables for the night. I know they all really enjoyed meeting the exceptional rugby legends who were there. The standard of food was incredible and it was an honour to match our award-winning beers with the chef’s creations.

“What a great night and it’s brilliant to hear that £40,000 was raised for Hospitality Action and their invaluable work in our industry.”

For over 180 years, Hospitality Action, the industry benevolent organisation, has provided specialised support to all who work, or have worked within hospitality in the UK who find themselves in a crisis. They support people suffering from life-changing illnesses, both physical and mental. They also help people who are experiencing poverty, domestic violence, addiction, legal or financial difficulty or bereavement.