Residents at Gelliwig, the Birch Thompson Memorial Fund Centre at Porthmadog had a big surprise when Rachael Heyhoe Flint OBE presented a cheque for £5000 from Wolves Aid to pay for new beds and bedding. 

The centre commemorates two teachers Graham Birch and John Thompson who both died of heart attacks in 1980.

Graham taught at Penn Secondary School and in addition to running football and athletics teams was a long-term Wolves fanatic and season ticket holder.

John taught at the Municipal Grammar School coaching cricket and rugby and was himself an all-round sportsman, still playing rugby for Wolverhampton at the age of 60.

Both then taught at Colton Hills after it was opened in 1974.

After their sad and premature deaths the Birch Thompson Memorial Fund was established and after the necessary money was raised the Gelliwig centre was opened in 1989 by John's widow Lil Thompson.

Since 1989 thousands of Wolverhampton youngsters from various groups, both able-bodied and with physical disabilities, have stayed at the centre and the current refurbishment is necessary after almost 20 years of constant use.

Dot Bagley, Chair of the Trustees , said  " We are extremely grateful to Wolves Aid for the generous grant.  Wolverhampton youngsters staying at Gelliwig will be able to sleep soundly for the next twenty years!"

Rachael was actually a colleague of John Thompson's when she taught at the Municipal Grammar School and has been a patron of the Birch Thompson charity since its launch.

She said: "The centre has played a vital part in improving the quality of life for many children and their families. Therefore, we delighted to make this £5000 donation. It takes our total donations, since February, to over £40,000."