THE second annual day of rugby will be held next weekend in memory of a much-loved North Yorkshire soldier and former rugby trainer.

Stephen Carter MBE, known as Scrapper, from Sherburn-in-Elmet, died in a motorcycle crash in South Yorkshire in October 2015, after visiting his parents with his daughter, Robyn, who was also seriously injured.

Mr Carter was Regimental Sergeant Major with the West Yorkshire Tank Regiment of the Royal Dragoon Guards when he retired from the Army in 1997, and was riding with Robyn on the A616 in October 2015 when the crash happened. Both were taken to Sheffield Northern General Infirmary by the Notts Lincs Air Ambulance.

Robyn was in critical condition for days, but later made a full recovery, and set up the first Scrapper's Cup up last year in her father's memory.

She said she was looking forward to next weekend's event, which will be held on Saturday, August 19, at Eversley Park, Sherburn in Elmet.

Robyn said: "I am still overwhelmed that the Sherburn Bears suggested this event to me last year and even more this year with the support of local businesses as sponsors."

Both events were set up by rugby team Sherburn Bears ARLFC, with whom Stephen had trained and helped provide kit for. He also worked with Leeds Rhinos as sport masseur, as well as the England Rugby League team and Leeds Tykes.

This year's event will see Leeds Rhino star Jamie Jones-Buchanan act as MC for the day, which kicks off at noon with the Sherburn Bears V Hemsworth Dragons junior teams.

While there will also be a number of family-friendly stalls and events throughout the day, the main event is the final open match. Last year it was fought by Scrapper’s Select - a team of friends and family representing Scrapper - against the Sherburn Bears. This year though, the British Army’s Catterick Crusaders will take on the Sherburn Bears and Scrapper’s Select for Scrapper’s Cup.

Last year's event raised £3,500 for Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance, and Robyn said she hoped this year's would make a similar amount, with money going towards The British Forces Foundation - a charity dedicated to boosting and maintaining the morale of the men and women of the Armed Forces through entertainment and other programmes.

Robyn said: "I am honoured that we have been able to create such a great day for the community to enjoy and raise money for such great causes in my dad’s name.

"My dad will always be my hero and still is to so many, he was the biggest motivation for everyone to be the best they can be and constantly went out of his way to help and support whoever he could so it is only right that I continue to do so on his behalf."

To find out more, go to scrapperscup.com or follow @Scrapperscup on Twitter and Facebook.

Donations can also be made at justgiving.com/fundraising/scrappers-cup-17