A RUGBY club has pulled together to raise £5,000 to support the family of one of its former players.

For the last 12 months, Tadley RFC has been raising money in support of the Brittle Bone Society after hearing how former player Steve Edney’s son Max had the condition.

Max, now six-years-old, was diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), better known as brittle bones disease, shortly after his first birthday.

As previously reported in The Gazette, Mr Edney and his son have become ambassadors for the charity with the 50-year-old Edney senior completing 12 challenges in 12 months earlier this year in support of the charity.

Each year the president of Tadley Rugby Club, currently Dennis Tucker, chooses a charity to support, and after hearing about Max, the club decided to support the Brittle Bone Society.

Mr Tucker said: “Tadley Rugby Club is a community club and we always think of ourselves as a family and support the families of our players.

“In the past we have raised money for people who’s have a family member suffering with lung disease and we will always do the best we can to support them.

“My good friend Steve Edney enlightened me that his son Max suffers from this horrible brittle bone disease so I thought it only right that we support them.”

Throughout the year the club has held a whole host of events including a steam fair and charity golf day as well as having a donation box on the bar all year.

On Saturday, 24 November the club held a special reception where Mr Tucker presented Max and his father a cheque for £5,000 to be donated to the Brittle Bone Society.

Mr Edney used to play at the club for more than 20 years, and during that time he was captain of Tadley ‘Bandits’ 3rd team for a couple of years and still a member of the club.

To support the Brittle Bone Society, go to brittlebone.org.