The Ospreys hosted their second Easter breakfast at Llandarcy Academy of Sport on Good Friday, when the region's official charity for 2011/12, The Joshua Foundation, brought 20 children and their families along to spend time with the squad and special guest, the Easter Bunny.
The partnership with the Foundation, the chosen charity of the Ospreys for the last two seasons, has seen both organisations combining to provide experiences for children with terminal cancer and their families.
The senior squad at the Ospreys joined the youngsters to enjoy the most important meal of the day and chat with the special guests before the Easter Bunny handed out eggs to the children. After breakfast there were further fun and games, with balloon modelling and face painting provided by Sunflower entertainment and music and games by Shadow Discos, while Miss Neath Port Talbot, Christie Doyle, also joined in the fun.
The Joshua Foundation was created in September 1998 to provide holidays and experiences for children and their families where the child is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Founded by Sarah Cornelius-Price after her son Joshua Cornelius, who died from a rare stomach cancer aged seven, the Joshua Foundation celebrated its 10th anniversary on 4th December 2008 and in the years since the charity was founded it has raised more than £5million for kids with cancer.
For the last two seasons, the Ospreys have worn The Joshua Foundation logo on the sleeve of their charity shirt, used in the LV= Cup competition, helping to raise the profile of the organisation as well as securing thousands of pounds of much needed cash through jersey sales. A full set of the matchday playing jerseys will also be donated to the charity at the end of the season, allowing them to raise additional funds via auction.
Dan Biggar, who needs one more appearance to reach 100 caps for the region, said it had been a very special couple of hours.
“It was incredible, a great experience for everyone involved” he said.
“We all consider ourselves very privileged to be able to spend time with these children and their families, helping to put a smile on their faces and to brighten their day.”
His team-mate, Duncan Jones, added:
“Our relationship with The Joshua Foundation over the last two seasons has allowed to really get to know what the charity is about, and the fantastic ways in which it is providing children with cancer and their families with memorable experiences. It’s very humbling to spend time with these families and to see how they are coping with the circumstances. As a squad we are just happy to hopefully give them a day out they’ll remember.”
Click here to visit our Facebook page and see some photos from the breakfast