THE FAMILY of a man who lost his life in a car crash five years ago have used money raised in his memory to support a pioneering new project in Porthmadog.

Will Hughes from Abersoch was just 24 when he died in a car collision back in 2012.

A fund was set up to remember Will, who was a retained firefighter, and his father, John and stepmother Vivien Hughes of the Sun Inn, Llanengan, decided to support a Boccia competition at Glaslyn Leisure centre in Porthmadog.

Boccia (pronounced Bot-cha’) is similar to boules, is played with soft leather balls and was designed originally for wheelchair users.

The competition is designed for people in the area living with disabilities and chronic health problems.

Players can throw, kick or use a ramp to propel a ball onto the court with the aim of getting closest to a ‘jack’ ball.

John’s mother had lived with dementia so he was aware of the effect the illness has on the person and the family as a whole.

He was so impressed with the activities being run through the DementiaGo programme to help people live well in their communities that he wanted to help.

Emma Quaeck, Gwynedd Council’s DementiaGo project manager, thought that it would be a fitting tribute to have people competing in an annual Boccia Tournament for the Will Pent Memorial Trophy.

Emma said: “I felt that this donation was very special and wanted this to be reflected in how it was used.

“I liked the idea of holding an annual event which would bring people with disabilities and chronic illnesses together from all over Gwynedd to take part in a sporting competition.

“Boccia is a great game and one where everyone can give it a go and be a winner. It is a perfect opportunity for some friendly competition and socialising.”

This year there were 32 teams entered made up of clients from the DementiaGo and Exercise Referral projects as well as the MS Society, the local Stroke Club and Parkinson’s Support group, Antur Waunfawr and the Abergele Boccia Club for people with learning disabilities.

The Pines Nursing Home also entered a team.