ARDROSSAN Accies are to pay tribute to lost loved ones as they host a charity rugby match later this year.

The Memorial Field club announced this week that they would be hosting the inaugural 'Brightside Cup' on August 3.

The fixture will be played at the Accies' home pitch with two teams of 25 players competing for the trophy.

Each team will be made up of guest players and club players, all of them invited to play by the captains and co-captains of each squad.

The fundraising cup aims to support charities close the heart of the Ardrossanclub.

This event has been created by a group of club volunteers featuring players and club members from the Thomson, Cairns and Anderson families.

The Brightside Cup has been founded in memory of Euan Thomson, a former first team player who died in 2022 aged just 32, and Jacqui Cairns, wife of club vice-president Ali Cairns and mother to Eben, Finlay and Tabitha, who have all represented the club at various levels.

With the family of both Euan and Jacqui at the heart of the event, the chosen charities are very close to both families.

Ali Cairns said: "The British Heart Foundation was a charity that Euan strongly supported and the Ayrshire Hospice supported Jacqui and her family after she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Both charities do fantastic work.

"The game is only the start of the day, as there will be a club dinner in the evening with guests from the rugby and charity worlds.

"The aim of the day is to raise as much money as possible to ensure both charities can continue to support families in their most challenging times.

"There are a number of sponsorship opportunities available to help make this day a success."

For further information on sponsorship, or if you wish to donate items for the raffle/auction, you can contact Jamie Thomson on jamiejthomson+AARFC@hotmail.com or Ali Cairns on marketing@ardrossanrugby.com.