A popular Whitehaven sportsman will be remembered at an annual fundraising cricket tournament.

Family, friends and former colleagues of Ged Blaney will take part in the event at Whitehaven Cricket Club to support the Henderson Suite and the Loweswater Suite at the West Cumberland Hospital.

The tournament, now in its fourth year, will see up to 16 teams compete in seven-a-side games on Sunday.

Ged, who died aged 49 in 2015 following a long battle with cancer, played for Whitehaven Rugby League.

His wife Lynne said: “It’s heart- warming to see so many people support the event and raise money for the Henderson Suite and the Loweswater Suite.”

Cricket enthusiast Phil McCormick set up the event as a tribute and to raise funds for the two hospital units. Last year, participants included Ged and Lynne’s children Nathan, Luke and Rachael.

The winning team was Owen’s Tesco Bag, featuring Whitehaven Cricket Club members and the plate competition was won by a team from St Benedict’s Rugby Union.

This Sunday, there will be a number of fundraising activities, including a raffle, tombola and auction, as well as games for children, a BBQ and ((BOUNCE)) taster sessions, which involves dance-cardio jumping routines led by Ged’s daughter Rachael. The day will be capped off by a performance from The Buyers Club.

Ged’s family have raised thousands for charity in his memory, with Rachael and Luke running the London Marathon on a number of occasions.

While Ged was ill he set up a support group ‘Stronger Together’ for his work colleagues at Sellafield, which offers a platform for workers to speak openly about their illness and to seek support.

He played amateur rugby league for Kells and Mirehouse, as well as turning out for St Benedict’s RUFC, and coached a Whitehaven Amateurs FC under-eights side, taking them through until they were under-16s, winning the League Cup and the Celtic tournament along the way.