A Boxing Day sporting fixture in a Pembrokeshire town has resulted in a huge fundraiser inspired by a local young mum-of-three who is battling breast cancer.

Jenn Hannon, now 32, was diagnosed in May 2024 and has since bravely faced a mastectomy and chemotherapy, ahead of intensive radiotherapy into the new year.

She and husband Patrick are well-known in Neyland, with Patrick, 37, playing football for the town since he was 15 as well as cricket since he was 10.  He is now the current junior co-ordinator for Neyland AFC Pirates and U7 coach.

Friends of the couple from Neyland’s rugby and football teams put forward the proposal of the Boxing Day charity match between Neyland RFC and Neyland AFC.

Jenn and Patrick with their three children - Rupert, Felicity and Percy. (Image: Hannon family)

Patrick said: “We'd been thinking of how we could raise money in January to fund Jenn's radiotherapy travel and accommodation expenses and their suggestion was so timely and took the pressure off us.

“The Boxing Day committee went full steam ahead into advertising the day, collecting fantastic auction and raffle prizes and hyping the day up on social media. Even before the day, we could tell how much effort was being put in.”

Neyland AFC line up ahead of the challenge. (Image: James Hemingray) On the day, over 200 people attended to enjoy the rivalry between Neyland AFC and RFC and there was a buzzing atmosphere amongst the crowd who cheered the teams on to a close result.

Neyland RFC took to the pitch. (Image: James Hemingray) Everyone then headed inside for the much-anticipated raffle and auction, with prizes including a tour of a Svitzer tugboat, a signed 125-year anniversary Cardiff City shirt and golf at Celtic Manor.

Patrick and children Rupert, Felicity and Percy enjoyed the game. (Image: James Hemingray)  The whole of the community dug deep, donating raffle prizes, bidding on auction prizes under the watchful eyes of Noddy Nordoff and the Boxing Day committee of Kyla and Gavin Rowland, Jonny Sutton, Simon Ellis (Jaffa), Peter Davies, Gemma Richards and George Williams.

The game saw plenty of thrills and spills.....(Image: Phil Haskett-Smith) The amount raised on the was a staggering £6,600, with a further £5,000 set up on Jenn's GoFundMe for those that couldn't make the day.

..and some determined tackles. (Image: Phil Haskett-Smith) Patrick said afterwards: “Neyland is a very special place to live because of the people within. They really do look after their own. They celebrate the highs with each other and dig deep and pull together when one of us is going through a tough time.

There was plenty of friendly rivalry. (Image: Phil Haskett-Smith)

“Neyland may be small in size but its community spirit is mighty. We are completely overwhelmed and grateful to every single one who has helped us so far.

"It really does make a shocking life diagnosis a little bit easier and less lonely.”

“Neyland may be small in size but its community spirit is mighty." (Image: James Hemingray)