The childhood friends of rugby league player Paul White who died suddenly last month have launched an appeal in his memory.

And one of the fundraising events being planned will be a rugby match where Paul's 16-year-old son, also Paul, will take his father's place.

Six of Paul's close friends have started the appeal to secure the future for his family.

Paul, of Allerton, died suddenly in his sleep last month aged just 34, leaving behind his wife Brenda and two young sons Paul and Jamie.

Paul Jr, aged 16, is one of the area's most promising young players.

Now friends of Paul Sr are looking to Bradford's rugby league fans to help support a charity match and dinner.

The reason Paul died is still a mystery but friend Paul Rodney, 33, said: "We can't do anything for Paul now but we can help his family.

"The only thing he would have worried about was how his wife Brenda and the children would cope."

Mr Rodney said the group want to assemble the original members of the Queensbury team in which they all played 16 years ago.

Mr Rodney, of East Bowling, said once they have got the players together they will announce a venue and time for the game when their opponents will be an original team from Wyke.

Mr White went on to play for York and then Hunslet and even played at Wembley in the final of the Silk Cut Plate in 1997.

The newly-formed appeal committee is also organising a gala dinner and auction at the Cedar Court Hotel later in the year and hopes rugby league stars and fans will help donate items and buy tickets for the event.

Any former Queensbury players, who knew Paul White, and those who want to lend their support are asked to ring Mr Rodney on 01274 740242.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.