The family of teenager Ceirion Galliers have paid tribute to a "remarkable" young man after he died in hospital 11 days after his 18th birthday. They have also revealed he became an organ donor following his death.
The "rugby-mad" young man, from Abercanaid in Merthyr Tydfil, died in hospital on Monday, July 24, after a crash on Saturday in which he was a pedestrian. South Wales Police say they are continuing to investigate the incident on the A4060 in Merthyr between Pentrebach and Mountain Hare, which was reported at around 10.40pm on Saturday, July 22, and involved a pedestrian and a Fiat 500. An inquest has been opened into his death, where Ceirion's cause of death was confirmed as "severe traumatic brain injury".
Ceirion's family, who are being supported by a police family liaison officer, have now released a beautiful tribute to him, in which they celebrate the life of an "absolute angel" for whom a whole town is in mourning.
They also revealed their pride and comfort in the fact that Cei, as he was affectionately known, became an organ donor in his death, with his heart being donated to help "an unknown patient hopefully to fulfil a healthy life". His family said: "He fulfilled his wish of becoming an organ donor following his untimely passing. The family have already heard from the donor team at the Heath hospital that Cei's heart will go on beating."
The family's full tribute says: "Ceirion Galliers comes from a rugby-mad family. It's important to state this because years ago, in Australia, there was a player called John Eales, who was outstanding. John's nickname was 'Nobody' - because Nobody's Perfect. He was that good.
“Cei, as he was affectionately known by all who knew him, should have been called Nobody. Not for his rugby prowess, but for almost every other thing he did in his life outside of the field of rugby. Cei spent the vast majority of his 18 years with us all, looking after, caring for and helping others. Who was this remarkable young man?
“As you can imagine, his family are devastated at losing him to such an awful road traffic accident, just 11 days after his 18th birthday. His mother and father, brother and sister, girlfriend, grandparents, cousins, aunties and uncles and the many, many extended family and friends he knew and who loved him dearly are inconsolable. It's no exaggeration to say a whole town is in mourning.
“Cei was the academic high-flyer of the Galliers family. After becoming head boy at Afon Taf High School, he progressed to UWC Atlantic College, finishing his two years there just recently, before securing a full-time career with the CPS just six weeks ago. All of his fellow pupils at school and college and all of the teachers that crossed his path all agree on one thing: he was the consummate pupil. 'He immersed himself into every aspect of both school and college life, and was a role model for others. He was the most polite, respectful, kind and hardworking young man' - that's how his school put it when they had to write a tribute. They are spot on.
“Throughout the last 10 years of his life, Cei has been a regular fixture at Merthyr RFC. Starting at under-8s, he went right through the mini and junior section age groups, only just last season joining the youth setup, in his favoured scrum-half position. It is hard to put into words the number of people who have crossed paths with Cei in that time - each and every one of them having nothing but good things to say about him. You genuinely cannot find anyone with a negative comment about Cei.
“This was evident at the gathering for Cei at Merthyr RFC when around 200 people gave a minute's applause in his honour, in the pouring rain! The club has even, in a move we believe is unprecedented, retired Cei's number 9 jersey for the forthcoming season.
“But Cei wasn't just a player. He always wanted to do more for others, so he passed the referees course and began refereeing mini and junior games locally too. Not just at Merthyr RFC but at any club that found themselves needing a ref - or an assistant ref - even at short notice. He did coaching with youngsters and was an integral part of a local organisation, IC Sports, that provides fun sports environments for young children. In their words, 'Cei was a truly inspirational young man. Kind, caring, enthusiastic, and would do anything for anyone. He always put everyone else first. If they were happy, he was happy'.
"I could go on and on but the message would be the same.
“Our family, our town, our rugby family and the wider rugby family has lost an absolute angel. We are confident that Cei is having cwtches with his beloved nannie Pat, who we lost three years ago. They were inseparable and now will be together, looking down on us all and helping us try to make sense of this senseless situation.
“We ask that all of Cei's family, and friends in particular, look after each other in the days, months and years ahead and they stay strong and make the best of the rest of their own lives. Cei would absolutely want that as he always wanted the best for them.
“In death, as in life, Cei is no different. He fulfilled his wish of becoming an organ donor following his untimely passing. The family have already heard from the donor team at the Heath hospital that Cei's heart will go on beating as he helps an unknown patient hopefully to fulfil a healthy life. The family takes an enormous amount of pride and comfort from that and know he will continue to help other sick patients as they too receive a special gift from a very special person.
“The family would like to thank everyone who has sent messages of condolence, texts, phone calls and visited to pay their respects and support the family at this truly awful time.
“Finally, a massive thank you to all the medical personnel who looked after Cei from the time of the accident right up to the final goodbye. There are far too many to thank individually, but the paramedics and doctor who attended the scene, the A&E staff at the Heath, the ITU staff at the Heath and every other member of staff who showed so much care and affection towards Cei and the family while we've been in our darkest place.
“Nobody's Perfect. But Ceirion Galliers came very close.”
Paying tribute to their player on Facebook earlier this week, Merthyr RFC said: "We are devastated at the passing of Ceirion Galliers, a young, talented, and beautiful person, taken far too soon. We cannot imagine the pain and heartache family and close friends are experiencing, and we pray for your peace and comfort.
"Ceirion will forever be an Ironman, the Wern his playground, his enjoyment. Anyone wishing to place flowers and reminisce, please feel free to come together at the Wern. We welcome the placing of flowers on the banking behind the posts adjacent to the car park. #ForeverAnIronman".
Club chairman Craig Dummett said: "On behalf of Merthyr RFC, I wish to express our deepest condolences to Ceirion’s family. We have lost a talented, dedicated young man whose infectious personality and willingness to give his time to others was a special trait. Ceirion will be sorely missed by his rugby family.”
Ceirion's former school, Afon Taf High School, said on social media: "From the moment he entered the school to the day he left, Ceirion Galliers was the consummate pupil. He involved himself in all aspects of school life and was a role model for others. He was the most polite, respectful, hardworking and kind young man.
"It was with an incredibly heavy heart that we learned of the untimely passing of our former head boy. It has shaken our entire community and the messages we have received from pupils past and present, staff who knew Ceirion and external partners just go to show what an amazing young person he was."
On Tuesday, Merthyr sports club Penydarren Boys and Girls Club staged a minute's applause at their fixture in memory of their loyal fan.
A Facebook post from the club said: "Ceirion was a regular supporter of the club following both our senior and youth teams each weekend. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this incredibly difficult time."
Cardiff Rugby said: "We are devastated to learn of the passing of former Cardiff Rugby RAG U16s player Ceirion Galliers. Our thoughts are with the Galliers family, Merthyr RFC Youth and the wider rugby community at this difficult time."
Merthyr Schools Rugby U15s said: "We are devastated with [the] news of the tragic passing of our former scrum-half Ceirion Galliers. A wonderful, caring young man who will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him. Rest in peace now Cei #9. Our thoughts and prayers at this time go to all Ceirion's family and friends."
