YORK RUFC are hosting a charity fun day at Clifton Park on Sunday for the club's youth section, with all proceeds going to St Leonard's Hospice.

England Ladies rugby sevens star and former York junior Emma Hardy is also set to attend the event, which takes place from 10.30am.

More than 200 under-6 to U12 players will receive individual and team awards, while the U13s will show off their recently-won Yorkshire Cup. Parents and coaches have a touch rugby session lined up before races through an inflatable assault course. Rugby Tots will also be on hand for pre-school children.

Four exhibition matches are mooted to be played on the first XV pitch - the U14s host a touring squad from Hitchin (10.30am), York Girls play Castleford (11.30am), a dads and coaches team play York Cavaliers (12.30pm) and York Ladies face Driffield (1.30pm).

Club spokesman John Atkin said: “This was a new event last year and raised over £800 for St Leonard's Hospice so we have expanded it this year and the target is £1,000.

"The players love to see their parents playing at a variety of levels and the whole event showcases the breadth of talent we have at the club, both male and female from six-year-olds to 54-year-olds.

"It's great to see players past and present getting their boots on for a good cause."

"This year we are also lucky to have Emma Hardy visiting as our VIP. Emma represented York as a junior, playing at Twickenham in 2009, and she is now a full-time member of the England Ladies sevens squad."

The new season for the youth section starts on Sunday, September 1.