Reg Pielesz, the general manager of the Guildhall Tavern in Poole, presented us with a cheque for £2,000 on Saturday, before our first league fixture of the season against Andover.

A total of £4,000 was raised at a fundraising five-course dinner at the Guildhall Tavern with former World Cup winning England hooker Steve Thompson MBE. This amount has been split equally between the club's youth development and the Head On Foundation, founded by Thompson, which helps people cope with early onset dementia and head injuries.

Reg Pielesz said: “I contacted Thommo after watching a very emotional interview on the BBC, with reference to his brain injury and early onset dementia. I invited him to attend a dinner with me at Poole’s Guildhall Tavern to raise money and awareness for his newly established Head On Foundation and for youth development at Ellingham and Ringwood where my four-year-old son has started to play.”

Mr Pielesz said he personally invited all the guests, who have been customers of his over the years at the tavern and Chewton Glen, where he used to be food and beverage director, as well as Brasserie Blanc in Bournemouth where he was the general manager. He added: “The evening consisted of a five-course tasting menu with a wine flight. Tickets were £125, with £100 from each going directly to the two charities. This was made possible with the kind permission of tavern owner Geoff Thompson, who also donated. Guests had the opportunity to ask Steve Thompson some no-holds-barred questions about his career, dementia, the game and everything in between.”

Mr Pielesz, who lives in Ringwood, thanked Countryfare, Meadowbrook Produce, Seafresh, Corney and Barrow, Hallgarten and Novum, Bride Valley Vineyard and WS Recycling for supporting the event.

The photograph shows Duncan Soden (Ellingham 1st XV lock forward), Reg Pielesz, Andrew Lorton (Ellingham's 1st XV captain) and Henry Benson (Ellingham's 1st XV captain last season).