Jamie Roberts has launched a testimonial year which will see him raise money for a children’s charity very close to his heart.
The former Wales and Lions centre announced his retirement from playing in July at the age of 35. Now he is to stage a series of events to celebrate his rugby career and raise money for the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital Charity, of which he is an ambassador.
The JR12 testimonial year will kick off on the evening of November 4 at the Principality Stadium, where he will be joined by Warren Gatland and Sam Warburton for an event hosted by Gabby Logan. That will be the day before Wales’ meeting with New Zealand at the Cardiff ground.
Read next: Ken Owens starts Welsh Premiership game and Welsh coach lands new job
Roberts said: “I feel very privileged in the experiences I’ve had throughout my career - the places I’ve been and the people who have helped me experience what I have, of which there are so many. Events throughout the testimonial year will hopefully give me an opportunity to raise and share a glass with as many of those people as possible.
“The year will also raise money for a wonderful charity that is very close to my heart, the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital Charity. I’ve been an ambassador for the charity for some years and I’ve witnessed first-hand their dedication and how their work impacts families across Wales.
“Being both a medicine graduate and a father of two young children has certainly given insight as to how important their work is in supporting the youngest members of society and their families through what can be very challenging times. I feel honoured to be an ambassador for such an important charity in our community and I’m hoping that events and celebrations held during the course of this year allow us to raise valuable funds.”
Director of the Noah’s Ark Charity Suzanne Mainwaring said: “We are delighted that such a Welsh great as Jamie has chosen the children of Wales to benefit from his testimonial year. As a charity, Noah’s Ark supports the specialist and often life saving care of 73,000 children a year which is enough to fill almost every seat in the Principality Stadium.
“The money raised during Jamie’s testimonial will make a real and lasting difference - helping to fund new and innovative medical equipment and facilities and by supporting children and families through our emotional support service and the much-loved play specialist team. It will also help us to make the hospital a less frightening and more familiar place for children by sprinkling a little fun and happiness into hospital days. Jamie has been a huge advocate of the charity since he became an ambassador in 2016 and we are very much looking forward to supporting him during the exciting year ahead.”
Roberts won 94 Wales caps and went on two Lions tours, playing in three Tests, during a career which took in spells with Cardiff Blues, Racing Metro, Cambridge University, Harlequins, Bath, Stormers, Dragons and the Waratahs. He also completed a medical degree at Cardiff University, a BSc at UWIC and later went on to study both a MPhil at Cambridge University and a MBA at Loughborough University.
READ MORE:
Cardiff leave out Faletau as young giants team up
WRU expecting strong Wales results this season as time for experimenting over
Five Wales internationals are injured at the Ospreys as destructive back-rower returns
Australia claim World Rugby admit Mathieu Raynal got time-wasting call wrong
