DALTON United Football Club has donated £1,000 to Dalton Food Bank after completing their fundraising challenge.

In January, the club revealed plans to raise money for the town’s food bank by taking on a 1,748-mile test, the equivalent of Lands’ End to John o’ Groats and back.

Players, managers, committee members and others were called on to cumulatively run, walk or cycle as many miles as possible.

Initially, the club had set £500 as their fundraiser target and were only going to rack up the equivalent of one trip between Lands’ End to John o’ Groats.

However, with the club quickly reaching both of their targets, they decided to double their efforts.

After reaching their updated targets at the end of January, Graham Bickerstaff, chairman of the football committee, revealed he was delighted by the club’s efforts.

He said: “Initially, the first team manager came up with the idea and it was just a way of keeping the players active during lockdown.

"He come up with the idea of the challenge and at the end of each week everybody would send in the number of miles they have done each week. At the start of it all we decided we should use the challenge as a fundraiser and Dalton Food Bank will receive the money.

“Everyone is so pleased with what we have done, it’s a good achievement and a great amount of money.

"We presented the cheque to Dalton Food Bank on Saturday and they were really pleased too and will put the donation to good use.”

Graham continued by thanking all the contributors to the fundraiser.

Barrow councillor Steve Nott has praised the football club and highlighted that their donation to the food bank will make a big difference to people’s lives.

The Dalton South councillor said: “It's a great effort by all involved in the football club, the combining of physical exercise, which will of course aid both physical and mental health, and the raising of substantial money for the town's food bank will benefit many people.It's been a superb initiative and I congratulate all for their efforts.”

With the Covid-19 crisis suspending their season, the challenge provided the club's members with a chance to get outside and exercise during the third national lockdown.

Graham admitted it's frustrating that no amateur football is being played currently, but accepted it is the safest and best decision.