THE family of a Royal Welsh soldier who died following a road traffic accident came together to celebrate his life and raised thousands for charity.

Sgt Richard Alan Williams, of Rhuddlan, died on October 22 2018. He was 31-years-old. He served in 1st Battalion, The Royal Welsh and was deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan and Estonia on operational tour.

His widow Rhian hosted a Black-Tie Dinner at The Beaches Hotel, Prestatyn, on Saturday, October 26. An incredible £5,566 was raised.

This will be split between two charities; Scotty’s Little Soldiers and ABF The Soldiers' Charity.

Rhian Williams said: “Saturday was amazing. The turn out was great and altogether we’re proud to say that the total raised was £5,566.

Rhyl Journal:

“This will be split between the two charities; Scotty’s Little Soldiers and the ABF charity.

“Everyone was impeccably dressed and looked fantastic on the night.

"We all had a great night remembering Richard whilst raising money for two amazing causes.”

Sgt Williams, a popular member of the forces, left behind three young sons - Thomas, Dafydd and Osain who are now aged 10, nine and four and are Scotty’s Little Soldiers members.

Rhyl Journal:

"Raising money for the charity through the Black-Tie Dinner just made sense - we wanted to give back to the charity and we want the evening to be a celebration of Richard’s life, where friends and family can share stories and remember him," Rhian added.

Founded by war widow Nikki Scott, Scotty’s Little Soldiers is a national charity which provides support to hundreds of children across the UK who have lost a parent who served in the British Armed Forces.

The charity was set up in memory of Nikki’s husband and father to her two children, Corporal Lee Scott, after he was killed in Afghanistan in 2009.

Rhyl Journal:

Nikki said: “We’re very thankful to Rhian and her boys for raising money for the charity through the Black-Tie Dinner."