MEMBERS of the Samaritans in York will take part in a Dragon Boat challenge in memory of a fellow volunteer.

Friends and family of John Vinuesa, who died last year, will be one of 36 teams taking part in York Rotary Club's Dragon Boat Challenge next weekend.

Mr Vinuesa was a listening volunteer at the York branch of the Samaritans for more than four years, and died at the age of 51 last October following a short battle with cancer.

He was an outdoors enthusiast and keen fundraiser, and had previously captained the York Samaritans team at the Dragon Boat Challenge.

Two-thirds of the funds raised by the team will go to York Samaritans, and the rest will go to York Rotary Club’s nominated charity for 2014, The Jack Raine Foundation, which supports vulnerable children and young adults in the city.

John’s family, from Bishopthorpe, including his wife Anna, sister Nuria and daughters Dani, 19, and Izzy, 15, will be helping out on the day supplying food and cheering on the branch’s 20-strong team of supporters and volunteers.

To sponsor the team go to virginmoneygiving.com/team/TVA