THERE is a chance to have some fun and raise money in memory of a 17-year-old Ludlow lad who died earlier this year after a long battle with kidney disease.

STAFF at The Rose and Crown in Burford is holding an afternoon in memory of Ben Braggins this coming Sunday.

There will be music and fun as well as a collection with proceeds going to the holiday fund of the Renal Unit in Birmingham where Ben spent much of his life.

It helps to give people with serious kidney disease the chance to take a holiday.

Sports mad Ben, who was a vice-president at Ludlow Rugby Club was prevented by illness from fulfilling his potential as a a sportsman and spent much of his life in hospital.

Ben underwent his first kidney transplant in 1999 but the operation was unsuccessful and he ended up having 12 hours of dialysis treatment at home, each administered by dad Iain and mum Dawn.

A second transplant in October 2004 gave Ben a new lease of life and he developed a love of cricket, golf and pool, as well as rugby.

In 2009 Ben received a signed England rugby shirt.

Sadly his condition deteriorated and he died earlier this year. Hundreds of people attended his funeral in Tenbury in February.

The event at The Rose and Crown starts at 2pm and there will be music form 4pm.