Christopher Charles Dunn (Dunny)

A truly sad day for St.Ives RFC, to receive the news that our ‘Dunny’ Chris Dunn has passed away (7th December 2023). It is a massive blow, that goes to the heart of the Hakes and the wider Cornwall rugby family. He was one of those ‘larger than life’ characters who everyone just ‘knew’ throughout the county.

Dunny came up through the St.Ives Juniors and the Colts and played all his senior rugby with us, following in his Dads, Horatio, scrum half footsteps. He was also really proud to pull on the Cornwall Colts shirt too. He was awarded his Crawshays tie after helping them out on their Cornish Tour one year and helped coach St Ives Ladies before it became so high profile.

Dunny was a hugely respected player, playing with great passion, commitment and determination and with such a loyal mentality towards his team mates.

The battle he always fought on the pitch, he continued to wage against his cancer to the end. A true warrior.

After retiring from senior rugby, Dunny enjoyed pulling on the shirt for the Vets team, the Bolingey Barbarians, helping to raise money for disadvantaged children in Cornwall. He was so genuinely proud to be a part of Bolingey, for over twenty years, loving his time on and

off the pitch with them. He has been a massive character for them, who will be sorely missed by them too.

The line ‘being the life and soul of the party’ has never been more fitting than for Dunny.

He was so often the catalyst for fun. Cheerful, positive and someone we simply all wanted to be around. There will I know be many, many anecdotal stories to share with each other over the coming days and weeks. These stories will hopefully serve as a comfort in supporting one another.

On behalf of the players, the Committee and the supporters of St.Ives RFC I send my sincerest condolences to Sandra, Will, Charlie and Leah, and Chris’ family and friends. The ‘third half’ will not be the same again.

Rest easy my wonderful, mischievous friend. Christopher Charlie Charles - the world is a poorer place without you in it.

Deaksey,

Ian Deacon

St.Ives RFC President

The club will post funeral details as soon as they announced.