Whitehaven Rugby League team took a break from pre-season training last week to support our SOS campaign.

The squad has just starting its quest to return to the Championship.

Amanda Hewer, general manager at the club, said: “We are backing The Whitehaven News SOS campaign all the way. We need our hospital services.’’

The players are the latest community group to show their support for the campaign which is fighting against propo- sals to downgrade maternity services; children’s services and removing emergency stroke care for the West Cumberland Hospital.

We are also continuing to gather signatures for the campaign, and this week’s total stands at 3,503.

If you haven’t already signed our SOS campaign petition, you can do so by going online at www.whitehavennews.co.uk