A RUGBY tournament held in memory of a three-year-old who died after a battle with leukaemia has won the support of a local business.

The Henry Valks Memorial Cup Rugby Tournament is held each year to raise funds for Children with Cancer UK following the death of the toddler, from Middleton St George, in 2009.

The tournament has previously raised thousands of pounds for the charity and has now won backing from specialist maintenance company Stone Technical Services, based in Kellaw Road.

The company will make a donation to the charity and is supplying a set of rugby shirts for one of the teams.

Managing director Dave Stone said: “Henry’s story is so sad and, since his untimely passing, his family have been working so hard to support Children with Cancer UK to raise awareness about this terrible disease.

“Everyone at Stone is really pleased to be involved with the tournament which will hopefully bring the local community together to raise much-needed funds.”

The tournament will be held on Saturday, May 11, at Darlington Rugby Club’s Blackwell Meadows ground, from noon.

The event will feature two pools of five teams, each with squads of 15 players, both men and women. Each player is asked to donate £5 to take part with all funds raised going to the charity.

As well as the rugby, the family fun day will also include raffles, an auction, face painting, inflatable sumo wrestling, a bouncy castle, cake stands, a bar and a barbecue.

For more information or to register to take part, please contact Richard@mantank.co.uk