The family, friends and army comrades of a soldier killed in Afghanistan are to hold a special sporting event at Harlequins RL's Stoop stadium in his memory.

Bombadier Craig Hopson, from Castleford in West Yorkshire, was serving with 40 Regmient Royal Artillery, when he was killed by an IED (improvised explosive device) in Helmand in 2009 when he was just 24. His partner Eleanor gave birth to their daughter Amelia in the same year, a daughter Craig would never see grow up.

Now his Royal Artillery Rugby League team and his team-mates from his hometown will meet in a match at The Stoop. The match, to be held on Friday, April 15, will raise funds for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and The Royal Artillery Charitable Fund (RACF). Eleanor and Craig’s mother Lynne will be there to remember him.

Lynn said: “This match is very important not only to the Hopson family but also to Craig’s friends as it’s a great way for us all to remember him together in a way that was a big part of his life. Craig would have loved to see his Corps Rugby League side play his civilian team, but I’m not too sure who he would have been shouting for!

“The Soldiers’ Charity is very important to us, as its a charity that can provide help to people that find themselves in a similar situation to ours. Any money we can raise for the charity is our way of thanking them for the help and support they have given to both us and other people that find themselves in our situation.”

It will be the first time such an event has been held, and will form part of a unique day at The Stoop. The game will be a curtain raiser to the main fixture – against Castleford Tigers.

Petra Walsh, from Harlequins, said it would be a very special day: “Thanks to our involvement with The Soldiers’ Charity through the Value for Valour scheme, this promises be an action-packed day, with action from the RA and Castleford and District sides, leading up to Round 10 by the only London Super League Club against Castleford Tigers. There will be plenty to do and it will be a great family event.”

Also taking place will be a Soldiers’ Charity Big Curry, part of the charity’s annual Big Curry fundraising event. Curry will be on sale with money from each sale going straight to helping soldiers, former soldiers and their families who are in need. Organisers are also planning entertainment and events between the matches, at half times and afterwards.

Gareth Barber, secretary of the Royal Artillery rugby league team, said: “This unique sporting event provides the Gunner Rugby League squad the opportunity to remember a fallen colleague and support two excellent charities that provide for all soldiers, both serving and retired.

“Bdr Hopson is an excellent example of the modern soldier, courageous on operations, committed on the rugby pitch and a devoted father. It is a privilege to be involved in this event.”

Tickets will be valid for both the memorial game and the main game, and include post-match hospitality.

Kick off for the Craig Hopson memorial match will be at 5pm, with the main match kicking off at 7.30pm. To book tickets, call the ticket hotline on 0871 527 1315, or book online by going to www.quins.co.uk, and clicking on ‘RL Matches’ using the promotional code Hopson2.

Harlequins are also part of the Value for Valour scheme run by The Soldiers’ Charity, which offers members of the Armed Forces reduced-price or two-for-one deals at participating venues.

To donate, go to www.soldierscharity.org