TWO events are being held this weekend in York to help raise funds for forces charity Help For Heroes.

Tomorrow, a huge American-style barbecue will be the centrepiece of an event organised by the family and friends of York soldier Matthew Hatton, who died in Afghanistan in August 2009, aged 23, and the event will raise money for the soldiers’ charity in his honour.

The giant barbecue, called a Jambo Pit, burns apple wood and slowly cooks food, such as large joints of pork and brisket. The food will be served from 7pm at The Cottage Inn, Haxby, by proud owner and friend of the Hattons, Adie Platts, who imported the equipment from the United States and had it decorated with the Union Jack and US flags.

The charity fundraiser will include line dancing, roulette and blackjack tables and live music.

Phil Hatton, Matthew’s father, said: “It’s a very good cause and something we have supported since we lost Matt. We want people to raise a lot of money for Help For Heroes and have a good night and enjoy quite a different amazing-looking barbecue.”

Admission costs £12.50 or £7.50 for under 16s. For more details, phone 01904 763949.

The second event, also on Saturday, is a family fun day at St Oswald’s CE School in Fulford.

The day is to raise money for both Help For Heroes and the Forces Children’s Trust.

Attractions will include a bouncy castle, a pedal-powered Scalextric, slides, stalls and an Army assault course.

Head teacher Rupert Griffiths said: “As a school we have quite a number of pupils in forces families and we made a decision that we want to put a lot of our fundraising efforts into supporting forces charities.

“People should come along because hopefully they will have a good day out and will raise money for a really good cause.” The event will run from 12.30pm to 4.30pm. There is an entry fee of £1.