The boccia tournament in memory of Jacob Thomas that was held at Haverfordwest Sports Village was a great success with so many happy smiling faces as people who had never played the sport before came along to try it with the regular participants of a very competitive Paralympic sport that can cater for all abilities.
 

Special guests had a great time

 
Special guests on the day were Jacob’s parents Caroline and Mike, who helped run the tournament, using the experience he gained whilst working with Jacob in the London Paralympics.
 
Angela Miles, who has done so much for Boccia in Pembrokeshire, was also there on the day alongside Bill Carne, who had formed a close friendship with Jacob and watched him at the London Paralympics; as was special guest David Smith, who has competed at four Paralympic Games and has won no fewer than five medals, including three golds in the singles and pairs events.
 
“I was delighted to support this fund-raising event,” said David, “because I practised with Jacob over several years and we became firm friends. It was nice to mingle with both current players in Pembrokeshire and also those who had turned up to learn a little more about our great sport.”
 

Organiser Rachel was delighted:

 
As organiser Rachel Mayhew, whose sister Kelly Ford was a carer for Jacob, told PembrokeshireSport.co.uk
“I had a go at Boccia myself and I can see how Jacob, along with many others, loved the sport. It was a great tribute to him and we raised £300 on the day, with help from the local ladies of the Muscular Dystrophy Society, to take our total so far for Muscular Dystrophy to over £1,200 through other events like bingo and sponsored swimming - and we are looking to carry out the same event next year, hopefully at the same brilliant venue.” 
 
Results:
 
Winners – Team Tom:
Tomas Martin
Ben Couceiro
Rhys Folder
 
Runners up - Team Sian
Sian Jones
Darren Briggs
Ellie Millard