A RUGBY club which is celebrating its 150th anniversary has presented a cheque for £1,947 to a children’s charity.

Chepstow RFC is reputedly the oldest club in Wales and, after marking its milestone with a gala dinner, the club was able to present the sum raised to Ser Bach – Little Stars, the members’ group of Shine Cymru, the charity which helps children under 10 who have neural tube defects (NTDs) such as spina bifida and hydrocephalus.

Club member Andrew Morris, whose seven-year-old niece Sara has spina bifida, said “We had a successful dinner to launch our 150th anniversary celebrations and must thank our guest speaker, BBC Wales rugby presenter Phil Steele, for a fantastic speech .

Sian Prince of Shine said: “Ser Bach – Little Stars events provide an opportunity for the children to socialise and make friendships.”A club spokesman said: “We would like to thank the following for their generous donations for the charity auction - local racehorse trainer Grace Harris, former Liverpool FC player Nick Tanner, Sam Warburton, Martin Williams and Ellis Jenkins for the” signed Blues shirt, Colin Charvis and Ken Owens for signed Wales and Lions Shirts, as well as a Wales World Cup Squad 2011 signed shirt.

“We would also like to thank Chepstow Racecourse, Wye Valley Studios and the barbers of Caldicot for their donations.”