FURNESS Rugby Union will be kicking off 2017 with a special match to commemorate the life of one of their former players.

New Year's Day will see the club putting out a Furness Select side in memory of Lee White, who died in April aged 30 after a three-year battle with leukaemia.

His former employers DONG Energy provide the opposition.

The day will see money being raised for both St Mary's Hospice and the Bluebell Foundation, and the hope is that this can become an annual event.

“He was quite a special player and a big personality within the club, and we just thought we'd try to organise something in memory of him,” said Furness player Joe Mallinson, who is helping with the organisation of the day.

“Hopefully, we can do it every year just to try to raise as much money as possible.

“It's just basically a load of us from the club all pitching in together and everyone is organising little sections of it just to make it all come together.

“DONG have really got behind it and said anything that needs covering cost-wise they will pay for it.

“They've raised a team and they're even buying a special kit just for the day for their team, so it should be a really good day.”

The match takes place at the Strawberry Grounds, with the gates opening at 1pm and the game kicking off at 1.30pm.

Food and drink will be available throughout the day, and there will be a live band playing in the clubhouse as well.