A SALE dad who has made a massive contribution to cancer research since his son's death, is now being recognised by rugby's top brass for the help he has given to the community and the game.

Dave Hulme is to meet the most powerful man in rugby, RFU President Peter Baines, for lunch at Twickenham Stadium.

Mr Baines heard about Dave’s volunteering work and wanted to meet a man who has turned a tragic personal loss into a powerful force for good.

The meeting comes five and a half years after Dave and his wife Nicola's eldest son, Alex, died of a rare form of cancer at the age of 12.

The couple and their youngest son Matt formed the Alex Hulme Foundation as a lasting legacy to recognise the courage and bravery their boy had shown during his illness, but also because he would have wanted to help others too. And to date it has raised £316,000 to develop research into non-Hodgkin lymphoma in children.

Dave and Nicola also encouraged Matt, now aged 13, as he developed his interest in rugby, and that led to them forging strong links with rugby club Sale FC.

Dave said: "“We needed an interest for him and, as he was showing early signs of a talent for rugby, we signed him for Sale FC.

"Being new and unknown to most people at the club we purposely kept our personal situation to ourselves.

"This allowed us to deal with our grief in new surroundings and in private. This also allowed Matt to forge his own identity rather than just being known as Alex Hulme’s brother. He grew in confidence, learned the values of the sport and made new friends just as we did.”

In 2014 Sale Rugby Club adopted Alex’s Foundation as its chosen charity and the sport and the club have become a massive part of the family’s lives.

Last year Dave won a special award for his tireless efforts in both team management and recruitment within the community, and for his unstinting support of Sale FC.

He was nominated to meet the RFU President by Michael Barnes and Cheshire RFU.

Mr Barnes said: "Dave is usually the chap on the side line of our Under-14 matches with the flag in his hand, spare whistle, team sheet and tackle count in his pocket. If you're looking for the epitome of a role model, Dave is definitely your man."

Karen James, chief executive at Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Tameside Hospital, where Dave is a senior manager, added: “ As a mum myself I can’t begin to imagine what Dave and his family have been through.

"Yet, despite it all, he works tirelessly to improve the lives of our patients while fundraising to support research through his Foundation in memory of his son.”

Dave is taking Matt with him to the lunch on February 16.

Dave added: “ The sport has played a massive part in his development as a young man as well as a rugby player.

"And he’s as proud as we are to see Alex’s name emblazoned on the back of the blue and white shirt he pulls on for the team. It’s going to be such an honour for us both.”