A GWYNEDD-BORN Welsh international goalkeeper has recently made an “amazing” gesture to a man from Gwynedd who has been battling cancer.
Owain Fôn Williams, born and raised in Penygroes, is also well-known for being an artist.
Gethin Jones from Caernarfon, who was diagnosed with a rare form of testicular cancer in January, is a big fan of Williams’ work.
When his mum Jane Gaunt emailed the Welsh shot-stopper to order a picture and asked if it was possible to get it delivered on the last day of her son’s chemo treatment, it was at that stage that Williams said he would like to donate the picture free of charge.
Gethin, who originally from Anglesey, said: “I wasn’t aware I was getting the picture, let alone an Artist Approved version so was quite a surprise.
“Owain’s Mum and Dad even delivered it to the Hospital for me while I was admitted.”
Since being given his diagnosis at the start of the year, 29-year-old Gethin has undergone an operation and chemotherapy on the Alaw Ward in Ysbsyty Gwynedd Hospital in Bangor.
During his stay, mum Jane had put a sum of £175 aside to purchase Williams’ work as she knew how much he admired it.
Once the artist decided to give it away free of charge, Jane chose to donate the money she had saved, plus an extra £25 to round it to £200, to the Awyr Las charity.
Speaking on the generous act from Williams, Gethin, said: “When you’re at your lowest point and are worried about everything, it’s a massive uplift when someone who doesn’t even know you does something like that.
“I’m massively grateful to Owain. It really gives you an idea of what kind of man he is.”
Gethin is set to receive his final test results this week. He says the doctor has told him she is “very confident” that his treatment has been a success.
Owain Fon Williams, has turned out for the likes of Tranmere Rovers, Inverness Caledonian Thistle and, more recently, Indy Eleven in The States. He has also earned one cap for Wales.
Upon hearing the news that Gethin was on the mend, he said: "Being at one as a team as a family or as a football squad, being shoulder to shoulder and side by side, just means that anything is possible. I am very glad to hear that Geth is set to hear the 'all clear' from his doctors.
"I had a message from his mum Jane at the beginning of his treatment. Their motto throughout their whole journey was 'Together Stronger' - which is one that means a great deal to the Welsh national team and to me personally as well."
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