The family of a "one in a million" young man who died after being hit by a car have paid tribute to him as they use his legacy to help others. Ceirion Galliers, from Abercanaid in Merthyr Tydfil, died at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff in July 2023 - just 11 days after he turned 18. It followed injuries he sustained during a crash in which he was a pedestrian days earlier on the A4060 northbound in Merthyr.
Speaking to WalesOnline Terry Galliers said "rugby-mad" Ceirion cared most about two things during his short life: rugby and helping others. Now, thanks to kind donations from Ceirion's loved ones as well as strangers, Terry said his son's passions will continue as part of a long-lasting legacy. For the latest Merthyr Tydfil news sign up to our newsletter here.
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After Ceirion's passing the family has raised more than £7,000 which has gone towards building a memorial garden which will open at Merthyr RFC on Saturday, November 9. Remaining funds will help young people follow in Ceirion's footsteps to complete a rugby coaching course to help sustain the sport on a local level for generations to come.
Terry said his son would be extremely proud that his memory is being used for good causes close to his heart. In a beautiful tribute to Ceirion, Terry said: "When people say someone is one in a million Cei really was. Everybody loved him. People would come up to me and say they had never met anyone like him. As long as everybody else was okay Cei was okay.
"In 2022 Cei was invited to give a TEDx talk at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea, which can be viewed on YouTube. Uncannily it was called The Ripple Effect about how the actions of one person can have many benefits on others.
"Before his passing we had already had the conversation about him being an organ donor. All his organs went to people who would have passed away within the next eight to 10 days without it.
"His heart went to one person in their 20s, his kidneys went to a girl in her 20s, then his liver went to someone in their 60s. They took his stem cells to help others. I'm so proud of him for suggesting that he wanted to do this even at such a young age. He was very much a people person - he was all for people. He really cared about everyone else."
Describing the relationship he shared with his son, Terry said: "He was the perfect son - we had a brilliant relationship. You don't realise until it's too late that he was also your best mate. I haven't been out much since he passed away.
"If me and my mate were ever going to watch rugby on a Saturday, or the cricket, it didn't matter where we were, Cei would find out and he'd be getting a taxi there or ringing someone for a lift. The next thing we knew he would be there walking down the veranda. We started going again this year and my mate said: 'Ter, it isn't the same without him'. We still both keep looking out for him to arrive."
Terry said Ceirion "absolutely idolised" his mam, Lowri, and also had close relationships with his two siblings, 15-year-old Aeron and 27-year-old Georgia. He added: "They were so close. Rugby has kept his brother going. Aeron absolutely loved him and really looked up to him."
Noting his son's many achievements Terry said Ceirion's life revolved around rugby and his academic studies. He said: "He loved his sport and he was very academic. Cei was in the Cardiff Blues uner-16 development squad but had to drop out because of college after he got a scholarship to study at UWC Atlantic. It meant he couldn't get there from Llantwit Major in time for training.
"He previously went to Afon Tâf High in Troedyrhiw where he went on to become head boy. Cei was a straight-A student without having to put much effort in - it was natural to him.
"When he finished at UWC Atlantic he started working for the Crown Prosecution Service where they expected very high things for him. He was very smart and switched on but he wasn't a show off."
Although Ceirion gave up his rugby dreams for his academic pursuit Terry said his son continued to be involved in the sport and inspired younger players. He said this gave the family an idea for how they should spend the funds raised.
He said: "He did a referee course and would referee kids on a Sunday. We've decided that we will put donations towards helping kids complete their refereeing course. We already have two kids selected who are going to go through the course. We are hoping to fund as many kids as we can going forward because there is a shortage of referees."
Terry said they also put funding towards a memorial garden in Ceirion's memory at Merthyr Tydfil RFC, which opens on Saturday. In the garden there will be two memorial benches with one for Ceirion and one for 15-year-old Reuben Morgan who tragically died at Pontsticill Reservoir in 2006.
"The garden is for everyone, not just for Cei," Terry said. "It's somewhere where people can come and sit and talk because so many people associated with this club have passed away over the years. We are opening it on Saturday because it's the Merthyr v Ponty game and that was Cei's favourite match."
In another move close to Ceirion's heart Terry said the family are planning on planting a very special tree at the garden. He said: "We lost my mam in 2020 who was Cei's biggest mate - it affected him massively. He planted a tree with his grandad at his house in her memory so we plan on digging that up and bringing it here by the side of his garden."
Terry and Lowri thanked everyone who donated towards the projects in Ceirion's memory. Not only does this include money but also businesses who kindly offered their time and work for free. They gave special thanks to Merthyr RFC for allowing them space to build the garden.
Writing in Saturday's Merthyr v Pontypridd match programme the family said: "The garden has become a focal point for us - Cei's family and all the other unfortunate friends and families of loved ones lost, it is a place to sit and reflect on better days. We hope this will bring comfort to all who need it. We'd like to thank [all those] who helped make this happen."