Ex-rugby ace’s motor neurone disease battle

APREVIOUSLY healthy and active former rugby player is battling motor neurone disease, his lifelong friend, entertainer Max Boyce, has revealed.

Mike Griffiths, also known as Tubby, was diagnosed with the condition, which affects the brain and nerves, in early January.

The former rugby player, pictured right, is hugely popular in the area, and is most recognised for playing for Aberavon, Neath and Glynneath rugby clubs as a prop forward.

Since retiring from rugby, he has always been an active member of the local community, through coaching rugby for all ages and being a member of the Glynneath RFC committee.

The Port Talbot steelworker was previously a keen cyclist and mountain walker and now has a great enthusiasm for bee-keeping.

Mr Boyce, president of Glynneath RFC, said: “He is a lifelong servant to the club and he and his family have done as much as anybody.

“We were all deeply saddened by the news, he is such a strong, powerful man, the last person you expect this to happen to. He is a hill walker, and is really, really fit.

“He is facing it with huge courage, as we would have expected from him. “He is a positive and courageous guy.”

To support the Glynneath 58-year-old in maintaining the best quality of life with motor neurone disease, his friends and family are now looking to raise the funds to get him a trip to America for clinical trials.

They said that, currently, no effective treatment existed for those who had the condition in the UK, and they would like to ensure he has the best chance to live a fulfilling life.

Mr Boyce, who is a member of a fundraising committee looking to raise £10,000, added: “He is a hugely popular guy and it is indicative of how popular he is that £6,000 has been raised for the fund in two days.”