Charity match to be held for little Niamh

One of the game’s organisers, junior coaching co-ordinator Mark Harrison, has close ties to the Power family, and wants to help raise money in order to send the eight-year-old to America for treatment for a brain tumour.

Niamh, from Maltby, has undergone three major operations in a year to remove a fast growing and re-occuring tumour, and her family have been told there is no further treatment available in the UK to help her.

Mark told the Guardian the club, who have already held an auction night, hope the charity game will raise both money and awareness for Niamh’s plight.

He said: “The charity game will be between two teams made up of club members. We’ll be mixing the current veterans team with coaches and parents and it will be played before the first team’s game.”

“Her mum and dad are friends of ours and her brother Sebastian plays in the Under 11 team that I coach, so we’re quite close with the family and have watched her battle so bravely over the last year.”

“We want to do as much as we can to help.”

There will be a small admission charge to the game, which will be played under full rugby union rules and contested by two 15-strong sides at 12.30pm, and the club are planning raffles for signed rugby memorabilia, bucket collections and entertainment for kids.

Mark appealed for sponsors to come forward to boost the total raised on the day.

He added: “If anyone has ideas or wants to sponsor shirts, or an insert in the matchday programme, then that would be brilliant.”

Contact Mark on 07915 182898 and for more information on Niamh visit www.hopeforniamh.co.uk/