WESTCLIFF Rugby Club will be hosting the seventh ALF 10s event at their Gables base on Saturday.

The rugby 10s tournament is the flagship event for the Aaron Lewis Foundation (ALF), a charity which was set up in memory of Lieutenant Aaron Lewis, the Rochford man and former Westcliff player who died while serving in Afghanistan in December 2008, just 11 days after his 26th birthday.

This year more than 15 teams from across the country will be taking part in the event and the organisers, a group of Aaron’s close friends, are expecting more than 1,500 people to attend.

“In the spirit of Aaron, the day’s festivities are expected to be lively, memorable and most importantly fun,” said one of the organisers, Jonathan Fozard.

“In addition to the high quality rugby on show, there will be live music, BBQs, a hog roast, a “fun-zone” for kids and all kinds of other entertainment throughout the afternoon.

“All profits will be going to the ALF and the festivities will continue late into the evening with music, fancy dress, a raffle featuring a host of outstanding prizes and plenty of Aaron’s preferred tipple, Sambuca!”

The tournament was first played back in 2009 and has grown in popularity every year since.

Many of the teams will also be camping out on the pitch and among those taking part are a British Army team from Aaron’s Regiment – 29 Commando in Plymouth – a team representing the CATS Foundation and the all new Aaron Lewis Foundation team which features a number of players from Westcliff Rugby Club.

The first match gets underway at 12pm with the final at 5.30pm.

The evening’s entertainment begins at 7.30pm.

For more information about the ALF 10s email alf10s@outlook.com or visit www.aaronlewisfoundation.org.uk