TWO Yorkshire youth rugby teams joined forces for a special match in memory of their young teammates’ dad, Mark Brown, and raised a staggering £8,206 for Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice.

To celebrate Mark’s life and in a show of support for his two sons – one who played for Yarnbury RFC and one for Aireborough RFC - the U14s squads from both clubs kicked off the first ever Mark Brown Memorial Shield match on Friday 21st January.

Hundreds of family, friends and supporters descended on Yarnbury RFC’s home ground in Horsforth for the match, which began following a rapturous one minute applause in memory of Mark as both the girls and boys teams lined the pitch.

Sarah Ferguson, one of a team of organisers who helped stage the match, said it was a hugely moving moment for all involved.

“The match was a really special occasion for everyone, and especially for the kids playing. It was the first time many had played under floodlights and in front of such a huge crowd. The support they received on the pitch was just phenomenal."

"Rugby was something Mark and his sons loved doing together, so it was a huge moment for the family."

“We are a big community here at Yarnbury RFC and everyone knew Mark. We wanted to do something special for him to raise vital funds for Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice which cared for him.”

In front of the packed crowd Yarnbury RFC won 26 to 15 on the night with an incredible £8,206 raised for Sue Ryder.

The match will become an annual fixture for the club in memory of Mark, who died in 2021 at the age of 47. Sarah hopes over the coming years it will raise thousands for Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice which cared for him.

“When Mark was moved to the hospice from hospital he could be with his boys. His mother could stay with him and Sally, his wife, could be with him. They gave Mark so much dignity and even now they are still there for his family. Sue Ryder’s care has been amazing.”

“On behalf of everyone I would like to thank Yarnbury RFC for hosting it and being there, everyone who supported the event, our programme sponsors and our match sponsor Hardisty and Co, whose financial support meant every single pound raised on the night could go to Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice.”

“I’d also like to thank all the team at the hospice for their incredible care of Mark and his family.”

Michelle Darbyshire, Community Fundraiser at Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice said, "At Sue Ryder we believe that the end of someone’s life is the most important time of their life. Our care teams do all they can to make room for the things that matter – like spending time with loved ones, sharing stories, jokes and memories, and filling their final days with love."

“It’s truly fitting that the Leeds rugby community, which is one big family, have come together to create an amazing tribute to Mark while helping to raise vital funds so we can be there when it matters for local families, helping patients in our care experience as much comfort as possible at the end of their life.”

The organisers of the event had set out to raise £5,000 for Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice, but were blown away by the generosity and support shown by the rugby community. “I was totally blown away by the support given to us on the night. I think Mark would have been shocked by the amount of people there.

"I think he would have looked down and smiled.”

For more information on Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice and the ways you can support its care teams to be there for local families when it matters visit www.sueryder.org/wheatfields

For more information on Yarnbury RFC visit www.pitchero.com/clubs/yarnbury and for more information on Aireborough RFC visit https://www.aireboroughrugby.com/