MORE than £1,000 has been raised in memory of a Wrexham toddler who died earlier this year.

Thomas Arthur Jones, of Montgomery Road, Smithfield, died suddenly on May 18 after going to bed and never waking up the next day.

He had celebrated his third birthday just two days prior to his death.

The wheelchair rugby team of North Wales (NW) Crusaders, which is based at Queensway, Caia Park recently £1,200 in his memory.

These funds will be put towards allowing families to use a special bedroom at a hospice, to enable them to stay close to their child after they have died and before the funeral.

Thomas was the son of youth coach Sophie Jones, nephew of player Harry Jones, and grandson of coach Steve Jones.

For the fundraising event for the Hope House charity, Crusaders gathered four north western wheelchair rugby sides to compete in a tournament, The Peacock Cup, named after Thomas’ hairstyle.

St Helens, Hull FC and Hereford Harriers participated alongside the hosts, where each side faced each other once before progressing to a final where North Wales came out on top on the day.

Thomas’s mother Sophie said he was a “loving, cheeky, mischievous and happy little boy, who enjoyed coming to NW Crusaders training sessions and watching the team play. He will be sadly missed”.

The event was mainly organised by his uncle Harry Jones, 21, who described the event as ”phenomenal”.

He added: “It meant so much to our entire family, there was some amazing rugby and an amazing amount of respect from everyone involved.

“I’d just like to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped in making the day such a success. And a huge thanks to the RFL (Rugby Football League) who allowed us to put the event on and to also request for it to be an annual event.”

Family of Thomas hope the proceedings given towards Hope House will help other grieving families to be able to use their special ‘snowflake room’ which allows them to be with their child between before the funeral.

The event was held at Deeside Leisure Centre and a host of cake sales, raffles, buffets and team donations all contributed to the amount raised for Hope House.