THE family of a much-loved rugby player, who died earlier this year after contracting Covid-19, have been fundraising for charity in his memory. James Brian Gill played rugby union for Halton RUFC before joining Widnes RUFC in the 1990s, where he represented the first and second teams. He went on to become the driving force behind the revival of the veterans team and also played rugby league for Widnes St Marie’s RLFC. Brian was treated in Whiston Hospital’s intensive care unit after testing positive for coronavirus where he sadly passed in February. Former captain Andy O’Neill launched a fundraising appeal in Brian’s honour, which featured a campaign encouraging friends and family to take pictures of themselves running, walking or cycling 5km, as Covid-19 restrictions prevented them having a proper gathering after the funeral.
THE family of a much-loved Widnes rugby player, who died earlier this year after contracting Covid-19, have been fundraising for charity in his memory. James Brian Gill played rugby union for Halton RUFC before joining Widnes RUFC in the 1990s, where he represented the first and second teams. He went on to become the driving force behind the revival of the veterans team and also played rugby league for Widnes St Marie’s RLFC. Brian was treated in Whiston Hospital’s intensive care unit after testing positive for coronavirus where he sadly passed in February. Former captain Andy O’Neill launched a fundraising appeal in Brian’s honour, which featured a campaign encouraging friends and family to take pictures of themselves running, walking or cycling 5km, as Covid-19 restrictions prevented them having a proper gathering after the funeral.