SPORTS stars and clubs have rallied round to help a Wrexham man raise money for the hospital which cared for his tragic baby cousin.

Tomorrow night Andy Davies, of Southsea, is staging a charity auction in memory of Dewi Rhys Jones.

Dewi died late last year aged just four months from Dandy-Walker Syndrome, a rare condition which leaves fluid on the brain and prevents development.

All proceeds from the auction, at the Rollers Arms in Southsea, will go Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool.

Main items up for auction have been donated by a host of big-name sports stars.
Darts player Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor is to autograph one of his shirts.

There is a signed and framed photograph of Liverpool FC’s Fernando Torres, which has a reserve price of more than £100, and a signed photo of Everton’s Mikel Arteta.

Also up for grabs will be a signed Umbro football by a recent Wales squad and a pennant signed by Manchester United from their 93-4 ‘double’ season, given to Andy as a present when he was a child.

A number of lots have been donated by Steve Evans, formerly of Wrexham and Wales, including a Welsh tracksuit, a Wrexham tracksuit top, a pair of white Wales shorts, a pair of Wales training shorts and a Wales training top.

Everton FC have donated a tour for four of their Goodison Park ground.

And Manchester United have given Andy two family tours of the ground and museum for two adults and three children each.

Also going under the hammer will be two replica Australia rugby union shirts.

Several more items will be sold on the day or put into the prize draw.

Andy said: “I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who has donated items for the auction.

“My target is to get at least £1,500 for Alder Hey where staff did an amazing job in looking after Dewi.

“Things are going very well and I already have £600 in advance bids and donations.

“The Fernando Torres picture is on £150 at the moment and the Manchester United pennant is on £50.”

Tomorrow’s event, which starts at 7pm, will also include a Play Your Cards Right game, a prize draw, darts and pool competitions, and an X Factor-type competition.

 An email account has been set up for bids for major items which closes at 3pm today. Bids should be made to andysappeal@hotmail.co.uk. People can also bid for any item on the night.