Caerphilly Observer
Member Sign in Manage Membership
Become a Member - no ads
Menu
  • News
    • Senedd
    • Business
    • Newport
    • Opinion
  • Sport
    • Rugby union
    • Football
  • Membership & Subscriptions
  • Notices
  • Obituaries
  • About
    • Advertise
  • Sponsored Content
Menu

Blackwood run to raise money for heart defibrillator

News | Rhys Williams | Published: 13:09, Thursday August 22nd, 2019.

From left: Rhian Price, Paul Morgan, Lesley Morgan and Bethan Morgan-Hoskins

A fundraising run will take place at Blackwood Showfield on Saturday, September 21 to raise money to install a potentially-life saving heart defibrillator.

The event is being organised by sisters Rhian Price, 38 and Bethan Morgan-Hoskins, 35, in memory of their father, Paul Morgan.

Mr Morgan died suddenly on January 2 aged 65, after suffering a heart attack.

Rhian and Bethan are hoping to raise £1,800 to install the heart equipment at the showfield, which was one of their father’s favourite places.

Mr Morgan, who had been married to his wife Lesley since 1980, was a member of Blackwood Bowls Club for 37 years.

A keen bowler, Mr Morgan was the club’s ‘Clubman of the Year’ in 2004 and become a Life Member in 2006 after 25 years of service to the club.

Paul Morgan was a long-serving member of Blackwood Bowls Club

He also served as President of the Rhymney and Sirhowy Valley Bowling Association, as well as President of the Monmouthshire Bowling Association, which he represented as a cabinet member on the Welsh Bowling Association.

Away from bowls, Mr Morgan was a member of Mynyddislwyn Male Voice Choir.

Describing her father, Rhian said: “He always had a smile on his face and was always laughing. He did a lot of unsung work and didn’t like a fuss.

“He was kind, caring and loving. He was a real gentleman.

“His dog, Merlin, was his life. He was always out walking him on the showfield.”

David Witchell, chairman of Blackwood Bowls Club, spoke at Mr Morgan’s funeral, saying: “Paul remained a hugely committed member of our club. An elder-statesman, a considered ear and a true friend to all that knew him.

“The trophies and honours that he amassed pale into insignificance when compared to real honours in life. He really was a unique character. He offered friendship, trust and he won upmost respect.”

After Mr Morgan’s funeral, £1,300 was raised by his family to install a defibrillator at the bowls club.

The first defibrillator was installed on May 2, alongside a training session on how to use the equipment.

Rhian said: “We were really proud and overwhelmed with everyone’s generosity in donating.

“It’s peace of mind for us that people can access a defibrillator and not have to go through what our father went through.”

A memorial bowls tournament was held at the bowls club on Sunday, August 18, raising £512 for the British Heart Foundation and Velindre Cancer Centre.

The tournament was held in memory of Mr Morgan, as well as late club members Charles Winston and Gwyn Berkley.

Kimberley Lloyd-Owen, operations manager at charity Welsh Hearts, said: “It is always sad but it’s often the case that it takes a tragedy such as this to highlight the importance and need for public access heart defibrillators to be available in every community.

“In this, Welsh Hearts is proud to be supporting the inspiring initiative of Paul Morgan’s daughters Rhian and Bethan and family, who thus far have donated funds from funeral donations to place a defibrillator at their father’s bowls club and are now continuing with their fundraising to place a further public access defibrillator at Blackwood Showfield.”

To make a donation towards the heart defibrillator, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/rhian-price.

Rhian Price
Rhian Price
Rhian Price

Latest News

  • Academic shines light on young men growing up in post-industrial ValleysMonday, November 3, 2025
  • Green light for food van at nature spotMonday, November 3, 2025
  • Finance minister Mark Drakeford
    Welsh Government details £27bn spending plans amid political wranglingMonday, November 3, 2025
  • Takeaway owner’s late-night opening plan meets resistanceMonday, November 3, 2025
  • Community conference to explore technology’s role in tackling climate change and fuel povertyMonday, November 3, 2025
  • Valleys Street Art Project transforming communities with bold muralsMonday, November 3, 2025

Find out how the communities of Caerphilly County Borough get their names

Caerphilly

Legal & Public Notices

  • Caerphilly County Borough Council public noticesThursday, October 30, 2025
  • Notice of application for a premises licence: Ffos CaerffiliThursday, October 23, 2025
  • Notice of application for a variation of a premises licence: Pontygwindy Industrial EstateWednesday, October 22, 2025
  • Caerphilly County Borough Council public noticesThursday, October 16, 2025
© 2009-2024 Caerphilly Media Ltd, Caerphilly Miners Centre for the Community Watford Road Caerphilly, CF83 1BJ. Incorporated in Wales No. 07604006.