Aberdare Boys’ Grammar School
Memories and Memorabilia
A fundraising event, Whitsun 1984
from Geoff Abbott
This was a fundraising event that took place at Rhigos International Airport. One of the staff, Geoff Abbott was asked to help raise money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital, (BCH). An ABCS pupil, one of three brothers from Hirwaun, needed an urgent operation for cancer at BCH as our local hospital could not perform the operation on the boy’s leg.
The glider pilot was Roy Evans of Cwmbach, who warned his passenger to keep his hands and feet well away from the controls which the latter found difficult to achieve.
It took a couple of attempts before the glider was successfully launched. Once airborne, the passenger was surprised to observe a bird of prey alongside, but going faster than he was. Then, Geoff asked Roy Evans to head for Aberdare. The pilot replied that they may get there but there was no chance of getting back!
A substantial sum of money was raised for the hospital. Happily, the ex-pupil is still alive and well.