NEARLY 200 people will attend a charity auction in York this weekend to raise funds in memory of York war hero Matthew Hatton.

Matthew Segar, an old school friend of the fallen soldier, is organising the event at the Hilton Hotel, near Clifford’s Tower, on Sunday, to raise money for Help For Heroes.

The charity was supported by Lance Bombardier Hatton, who became York’s first victim of the war in Afghanistan when he was killed in an explosion in August.

Mr Segar said he was expecting all 180 tickets to be sold by the time of the event, which will be hosted by Minster FM’s Breakfast Team and attended by the Lord Mayor of York, Coun John Galvin, and the civic party.

He said: “I currently have 55 high-quality auction lots and many more good raffle prizes alongside them, very kindly donated by local and national companies and individuals.

“I’m hoping that on the night people dig deep for a great cause but, more importantly, that everyone has a fantastic evening, which I am sure they will.”

Proceeds from the evening will go towards the sponsorship fund for the Mount Kilimanjaro trek being undertaken by Lance Bombardier Hatton’s family and friends next spring, when they aim to raise nearly £30,000.

The lots on offer include meals, hotel stays, beauty treatments, jewellery, sporting tickets and memorabilia donated by a range of companies.

The evening will also include live music from Jim Harbourne, who also attended Easingwold School with L Bombardier Hatton and Mr Segar before moving up to Edinburgh, and well-known singer Alistair Griffin.

Tickets are £10 each and are limited.

For information on obtaining tickets, email matt_segar@hotmail.com or visit the Black Horse pub, in Wigginton, or the Dormouse pub, in Clifton.

L Bombardier Hatton, 23, from Haxby, was killed alongside two comrades on August 13, in the Sangin are of Afghanistan’s Helmand province.

He had signed up to be a career soldier only weeks before he died.