Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust

The Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust, established in 1972 by Sir Tasker Watkins VC and Ken Harris of the Welsh Rugby Union, is a specialist funder dedicated to providing lifelong, compassionate support to rugby players severely injured while playing in Wales and their families. Rooted in rugby's ethos of solidarity, community, and duty of care, it addresses the financial, emotional, and practical challenges of catastrophic injuries like paralysis, enabling beneficiaries to adapt, rebuild, and lead fulfilling lives through tailored, holistic interventions.

It funds practical essentials such as home adaptations, specially adapted vehicles, rehabilitation therapies, hospital travel, education, retraining, counselling, respite care, and annual grants (e.g., Christmas and summer payments), alongside community-building initiatives like an accessible hospitality lounge at Principality Stadium for peer support. Priorities centre exclusively on individuals of all ages, genders, and backgrounds who have regularly played rugby in Wales and suffered life-changing injuries, with sustained, multi-year support rather than one-off aid.

Eligibility is strictly for individual players and families referred via the Welsh Rugby Union, medical professionals, or related agencies—unsolicited applications from organisations are not accepted, with no income, size, or entity requirements as support bypasses charities. Grants are awarded on a rolling, case-by-case basis with no deadlines or public forms, typically ranging from £10,000 to £50,000+ for major needs like adaptations.

The Trust does not fund clubs, rugby promotion, general sports/disability initiatives, or organisational projects/core costs, distinguishing itself through its hyper-focused, relational model integrated with Welsh rugby, long-term commitments, and blend of financial, emotional, and social network support unique in the Welsh landscape.