THE Ray Gravell and Friends Charitable Trust is on track to raise £400,000 by Christmas — just four years since the Scarlets legend died.

At its annual gala dinner at the Stradey Park Hotel, on the eve of the fourth anniversary of Ray's death, more than 300 guests were told the current total stood at £394,000.

So far more than £200,000 has been given to charities, organisations and individuals across West Wales.

Welcoming guests, Ray's former Scarlets, Wales and British Lions teammate Derek Quinnell, also chairman of the trust's organising committee, said the huge figure raised was a tribute to one of Wales's most loved and colourful characters.

"It is a true reflection of the great affection everyone had for Ray," he said.

"He was an amazing character that touched everybody and I know that the goodwill and effort that goes on in supporting the trust will perpetuate his memory for generations to come."

A number of VIP guests were at the dinner, including 16- year-old Robert Phibben, who was selected to represent Great Britain in kayaking at this year's Special Olympics in Athens.

The Coedcae School pupil received £500 from the trust.

Cancer Care Research nurses Gill Palmer and Leanne Quinn, who received £10,000 towards the breast care unit, were there too, along with representatives of Breakthro' Carmarthen and Llanelli, which received £5,000 each.

Mr Quinnell said as well as the annual fundraising events such as golf days at Machynys and horse-racing days at Ffos Las, the hugely successful Pretty in Pink dinners had raised a total of £40,000 for the breast cancer care unit at Prince Philip Hospital. Llanelli's first ever fashion week in March was also a big success, raising a total of £17,000 for the trust. Nearly 2,000 people turned out for five catwalk shows at five venues in the town, and more than 5,500 raffle tickets were sold.

The money has also been raised through events such as An Evening with Phil Bennett, sponsored marathon runs, cycle rides and mountain climbs, as well as the Welsh Rugby Players' Association Grow A Grav campaign, which runs again this year.

Recent donations included money collected from a bike ride by Giles Evans and Coleg Sir Gâr, a concert by Côr y Scarlets, Kidwelly Motor Club, Carmarthen Golf Club, Llanelli Cricket Club and many more.

And the list of fundraising events continues to grow, with the trust's first Christmas lunch and carol singing afternoon taking place at Parc y Scarlets this year, with current players joined by former legends.