Bridgnorth rugby tournament this weekend in memory of 'gentle giant' road tragedy victim - full details

A rugby tournament in memory of a popular farming worker who died in a road collision will kick off this weekend.

The Will Rogers Memorial Day takes place at Bridgnorth Rugby Club’s Edgar Davies Ground this Saturday, July 25.

The tournament is in memory of Will Rogers, who died aged 26 on the B4368 at Diddlebury, near Craven Arms, on April 30, 2022.

He was hit by a van.

The tragedy resulted in an outpouring of grief for the talented sheep shearer and agricultural worker.

Hundreds attended his funeral, which featured a tractor procession.

And the rugby day in his memory has become an annual tradition.

Will’s mum, Mandy Oliver, said: “Will was our world, he was full of fun and could always make you smile with his witty sense of humour.

“With a smile and a hug he could make the world a better place.

“Will lived his life to the full, he has made many friends far and wide and he touched the hearts of everyone who knew him with his kindness and a heart of pure gold.

“He loved his life, his work and his rugby but most of all he loved being with those closest to him. He never failed to make us proud.”

The senior rugby tournament, starting from 2pm, will be made up of three teams: Bridgnorth 3rds, the Riley Tops and the Flaming Unicorns.

Before that there will be minis and juniors touch rugby from 12pm.

There will also be a bouncy castle and face painting, and there will be food and drinks at the bar available on the family fun day.

This year, the event is raising money for the charity Tough Enough To Care, a charity supporting men’s mental health.

One of Will’s childhood friends is also raising money for charity.

Lee Firmstone, aka The Bale Man, has been running various races in the area with a hay bale strapped to his back.

He is raising money for the Shropshire Rural Support charity.