THE Royal Navy will be sending two rugby teams to Skipton in March to take part in a fundraising event for Luke Mortimer.

A 'Luke 15' team will take on the Prince of Wales Aircraft Carrier team; while Skipton Roses will do battle with Royal Navy Ladies.

Following the matches at Skipton Rugby Club on March 23, there will be a black tie dinner at Hotel Rendezvous, Skipton, with an auction of donated items carried out by Philip Serrell of television's Bargain Hunt and Flog it!

It will be the second time a team from the Royal Navy travels to Skipton to raise money for Luke, who in 2019 aged seven years old and fit and well contracted meningococcal meningitis and, following 23 surgeries in ten weeks, was left as a quadruple amputee.

In 2020, past and present Skipton RFC players took on a squad from the Royal Navy’s HMS Prince of Wales. It was a 24-24 draw following sterling play from both sides, with more than £15,000 raised for Luke's ongoing needs.

Luke's dad, Adam, who says he will be donning his rugby jumper and join the Luke 15, despite turning 50 later this year, said he was sure it would be a great day with all the rugby family.

"The Royal Navy doesn't often do community matches, so this will be really special," said Adam. 

Now 11, Luke lives in Embsay with his family and was recently named Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's 2,238th Point of Light, an award given to outstanding individual volunteers who have contributed exceptionally to their community.

Last year, Luke made national news when he climbed 656ft up Embsay Crag to raise money for Children in Need and LimbPower, raising £26,000 against an initial goal of £500.

The rugby match day is just one of the events coming up to raise money for ThisisLuke for his ongoing needs and other charities.

On June 27 there will be a golf day at Skipton Golf Club, and the day after a team of around 30 people, including dad, Adam, will attempt to climb the National Three Peaks, Snowdon, in Wales; Scafell Pike, in England, and Ben Nevis, in Scotland; together with the Yorkshire Three Peaks, Penyghent, Whernside and Ingleborough; all in under 48 hours.

Luke's Six Peak Challenge will raise money not only for Luke but also for Amp Camp Kids, a charity of which Luke is an ambassador and which provides full packed holidays in Spain for children who have suffered an amputation and their families.

To support ThisisLuke the just giving page link is: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Lukes6peak; find out more about fundraising and how to get involved by searching Thisisluke on Facebook.

Adam is also hoping to get sponsorship for the events and items to auction in the auction at Hotel Rendezvous. Anyone able to help can email Adam at: ajm610a@gmail.com Luke recently received his Point of Light award from Skipton MP Julian Smith.

Mr Smith said: “Luke is a hugely impressive young man. His determination in the face of such extraordinary adversity is an example to all of us. Spending time with him and his family was a real privilege, and I know everyone will be pulling for him when he goes on to his next challenge, whatever that may be.”