Rugby legends’ new coffee venture given transportation boost by Low Cost Vans

Four former rugby legends have been given a helping hand getting their business moving by a local company that shared their passion for using business to inspire social aims – namely by donating a percentage of profits to cancer centre Velindre Fundraising.

Mike Phillips, James Hook, Shane Williams, and Lee Byrne – all former Ospreys, Wales, and British & Irish Lions players – have formed FabFour Coffee, a venture committed to creating great tasting coffee, whilst simultaneously contributing to a worthy cause.

Velindre Fundraising is the charity arm of Velindre Cancer Centre, which has been providing specialist treatment and supportive care to cancer patients in Wales for over 60 years. Money raised funds ground-breaking research and clinical trials, cutting edge treatments, specialist nurses, support services, therapies and equipment.

Upon hearing of the new venture, leading van leasing and contract hire company, Low Cost Vans wanted to help get their business moving and help with transportation – especially against the backdrop of uncertainty and restrictions in place as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Low Cost Vans, based in Skewen, Neath, has grown rapidly in the last 12 months, despite the coronavirus pandemic, gaining an additional 10 members of staff. Its growth plans include the recruitment of around eight additional members of staff to further boost its existing team during 2021.

Its success this year has meant that Low Cost Vans was willing and able to help and have supplied FabFour Coffee with a brand new Ford Transit Custom, free of charge – identical to one the company is giving way in an online Instagram competition.

Shane Williams, co-founder and director at FabFour Coffee, said: “Each of us has played rugby worldwide during our long careers, and our passion for coffee has been ignited by our shared experiences. Enjoying a coffee while spending time together as players has been a huge part of team culture everywhere we played, and now, with our playing careers having come to an end, enjoying coffee is taking on a new meaning for us.

“We are also passionate about supporting our official charity partner Velindre Fundraising, whom we will be donating a percentage of our profits to, to help them after a tough 2020.”

Rod Lloyd, Managing Director of Low-Cost Vans, said: “The pandemic has hit many industries very hard and start-up businesses and charities have been particularly badly affected. That is why it’s so great to be in a position to help FabFour Coffee – who donate a percentage of their takings to Velindre Fundraising – as well as creating a van giveaway competition on Instagram, which should make the start of 2021 very special for one lucky prospective van owner.”

James Hook, co-founder and director at Fab Four Coffee, said: “We’re so pleased with our new Transit Custom from Low Cost Vans, it’s exactly what we need for our new business, and we can’t wait to get it out on the road. We’d like to give a big thank you to Low Cost Vans, from everyone at Fab Four Coffee, for sorting us out so quickly.”

The Low Cost Vans Instagram giveaway draw to win a Ford Transit Custom van – identical to the one given to FabFour Coffee – will be taking place at 5pm on Sunday 28 February. To enter visit their competition page.

Lead image: LowCost Vans owner Rod Lloyd (left) with members of the Fab Four Shane Williams, Lee Byrne and James Hook, Low Cost Vans have agreed to supply the Fab Four with their new commercial vehicle as they embark on their new enterprise. (Adrian White Photography)