DAVID Sharpe is excited at the potential offered by Barrow Raiders possibly being able to open up extra funding streams from their schools programme.

The Raiders are aiming to follow the example set by the likes of Super League side Salford Red Devils, who are one of the clubs they have been in contact with over their highly-regarded charitable foundation.

Sharpe's fellow Barrow directors have been working to introduce a foundation at Craven Park too, with Hazel and Dave Robinson working to source funding through grants and Allan Robinson heading up the scheme.

"They're active business people and they're used to working hard and being progressive," said Raiders chairman Sharpe, who sees the foundation as a vital part of the club's future.

"They've got a lot of contacts between them, they're really keen to open up new areas in the club and this skills foundation grant is something a lot of clubs utilise, and it supports the clubs very heavily.

"That's going to be a new revenue stream for us, it's on the verge of being up and running for us, and we're looking forward to that adding to the overall income of the club."

The Raiders expanded their community offering over last winter, with players Brett Carter and Tom Walker coming on board to help out Joe Bullock after signing from Workington Town.

The pair had been responsible for Town's community schemes and introduced some of the projects they had undertaken there to what Barrow were already offering, including a reading scheme which has proven popular.

Sharpe is pleased to see how much the community department has grown even without the foundation in place and is in no doubt the team securing promotion to the Kingstone Press Championship can help boost that even more.

"The great thing is that two years ago we started putting players into schools, and I went around with Joe Bullock and Josh Ward at the time and every school we went to welcomed us with open arms," said Sharpe.

"There is a big demand to have these people in the schools, they are a great role-model for the children and, of course, going into the Championship makes it all the more special for the children.

"I think the schools like having them around and they're just a positive influence on everything."