DARLINGTON Mowden Park will provide the opposition for the Hire A Hero Gorillas charity rugby team at Kingston Park on Easter Sunday (March 27).

The Gorillas are returning to the ground for a second year to play a curtain-raiser, kicking off at noon, before Newcastle Falcons' match against Wasps.

The club will use the Aviva Premiership fixture to raise awareness and funds for the 1820 Foundation, a North East charity which supports the Armed Forces community and veterans in the region.

Mowden skipper Gareth Nesbit is heavily involved with the Gorillas, the charity's rugby team, and several of his ex-Westoe team-mates have played for them.

The 1820 Foundation will be selling tickets for the Falcons v Wasps game with a £5 donation being generated from each ticket.

Their work benefits ex-military personnel who are struggling to make the transition to civilian life. They also help children who have lost family members during the course of military service.

The Foundation's chief executive Arun Malhotra said : “We are hugely indebted to the Newcastle Falcons for accommodating us. This event raises awareness around some of the key issues that North East veterans face, and is an excellent example of how the Falcons continue to support their local community.”

In the build-up up to the game the Foundation are looking to raise £500 to take a group of North East veterans for a VIP day out to Kingston Park.

Young supporters are also sought to get involved in the day by becoming official mascots and running out with the Wasps team.

More information is available on www.1820foundation.com or on www.eticketing.co.uk/newcastle-falcons.