A RUGBY union side featuring players with learning difficulties has started an online appeal to raise £10,000 to fund its team to compete in a world cup in Spain - two years after it hosted the first tournament.

Bumble Bees Barbarians, based at Bradford and Bingley RFC in Wagon Lane, are looking to raise the cash to cover the costs of its coaches, hotels and travelling expenses for the second International Mixed Ability Rugby World Tournament in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Basque Country, Spain, held between August 21 and 25.

They are looking to compete in the 15-a-side rugby union clashes, which feature teams of players with learning disabilities mixing with able-bodied players in a full-contact form of the sport.

The club, who were England’s first mixed-ability rugby union team formed in 2009, hosted the inaugural competition, organised by International Mixed Ability Sports (IMAS), in August 2015.

Teams from nine countries, including Argentina, Spain, Italy and France, and more than 400 players, battled it out with sides from England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Bumble Bees, Halifax Magpies and Castleford RUFC made up the English contingent.

Bumbles players and officials are also helping to raise the funds through a number of events and player sponsorships.

Gerry Sutcliffe, a patron of the club and former Bradford South MP and Minister for Sport and Tourism, said it was vital that the Bumbles raised the cash to take the field in Spain.

He said: “The Bumbles are the frontrunners for mixed ability rugby, so it is important that they have a presence there.

“We want to try to keep it going. Participating in Spain is important. It is vital that the Bumbles get there.

“We are one of the leaders in disabled sport in the Bradford district, alongside the work done by the University of Bradford.

“The first world cup that we held in Bradford went really well.

“The tournament sees players with learning difficulties playing with able-bodied players.

“The world cup is a competitive tournament. It develops them sports-wise, but also as individuals.”

Go to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/bumblesspain2017 to make a donation.