MOWDEN Park Rugby Club in Darlington has announced it is to adopt the town's St Teresa's Hospice as its charity for the 2003-2004 season.

Players, coaches and support staff at the club will be arranging fundraising events throughout the year, and supplying collection boxes at all home matches.

The hospice will shortly open a six-bed, 24-hour care unit to provide respite as well as terminal care, to supplement the day care and hospice-at-home services it already offers.

Mowden Park Rugby Club is due to move to a new ground next year at West Park, Faverdale, following the sale of its present ground in Yiewsley Drive, Mowden, for housing development.

John Parkinson, club chairman, said: "We now have such a good attendance at each home match that it seemed an ideal opportunity to allow a local charity to benefit.

"St Teresa's is such a worthy cause and all the players and staff at Mowden are looking forward to playing an active part in fundraising."

Jane Bradshaw, hospice director, said: "Every contribution is invaluable in helping us to provide our home care, day care and our soon-to-be opened in-patient facility.

"We are delighted to receive support from such a well-known local rugby team and we look forward to offering the boys support at the home matches."