A CHARITY football match is being held in memory of a local teenager who drowned in a flooded Yorkshire Dales cave during a school field trip.

Joe Lister, from Steeton near Tadcaster, was one of 11 pupils from Tadcaster Grammar School on a trip to Bewerley Park Outdoor Education Centre, when he drowned on November 14, 2005 aged 14.

This Saturday, former teammates who Joe played with for Tadcaster Albion under-15s will reunite and play against a team chosen by Joe’s brother, Ben, in the Joe Lister Charity Match. It will take place at Tadcaster Albion's i2i Stadium. Kick-off is 6pm.

Two years ago the first Joe Lister Charity Match was held and raised £3,888 for the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association (UWFRA), who were called out following the incident 12 years ago.

Two of Joe’s friends, Ben Fletcher and Josh Derry, who helped organise the match two years ago to mark the tenth anniversary of his death, are also organising this year's event along with Joe's brother.

Ben Fletcher said: "We're holding the match again to remember Joe and it's a good excuse to get all Joe's oldest teammates together again. It's also for a good cause.

"It will be difficult to match the fundraising total two years ago. Last time we had a lot of press with it being ten years since Joe died. We're not setting targets, we're just hoping to raise as much as we can. If we get anywhere near that total this year that would be great."

Ben Lister added: "I think it's brilliant to get the lads together and have a good laugh doing something that Joe loved in his memory."

Admission is free but spectators are encouraged to donate generously to collections for the UWFRA.

There will be a raffle on the evening in aid of the charity.

Volunteers are being sought to help out on the evening and donations are needed for the raffle. Phone Ben Fletcher on 07807 249334 if you would like to get involved.

Joe died in a cave known as Manchester Hole in Upper Nidderdale, after water began to rise while the group was still underground.

For more information, search for Joe Lister Charity Football Match on Facebook.

To make a donation to the UWFRA, visit www.justgiving.com/uwfra/raisemoney 

People can leave a message with their donation, and state that it is in memory of Joe.