Whitehaven RL fans have almost reached their fundraising target in aid of the club. 

The club was facing financial difficulties over the summer and fans banded together to show their support. 

They have now raised over £17,000 of their £20,000 target, with rugby lovers from across the country showing their support. 

On their fundraising page, the organisers said: "I am a fellow supporter of Whitehaven RLFC, and I am very aware as we all are, of the club's well-documented cash flow problems we have and are experiencing this season, mainly caused by the massive reduction in RFL funding and the fixture list so far giving us more away games (including France) than home games.

"I have set up this fund in the hope that we Haven supporters/fans can raise some much-needed funds to give the club a little bit of breathing space and take a bit of pressure off our small but very hard-working B O D.

"I know times are hard for everyone at the moment so any donations made would be really appreciated."