Legendary fundraiser Russ Rawley has been made a life member of his beloved Barrow AFC.

His tireless efforts to raise money for the club has been recognised with the prestigious honour by the club.

He will be presented with his life membership on the pitch at the Bluebirds' home game against Mansfield Town later this month.

Mr Rawley is already honorary life president of the Bluebirds Trust, and has played a central part in a host of fundraising drives over the years.

Those have included the Raise The Roof campaign and the Bluebirds Development Fund - while the Trust's matchday raffle, which he has spearheaded for years, was renamed Russ's Raffle after the Covid-19 pandemic forced it to go online.

Barrow said they were keen to honour Mr Rawley's incredible efforts and loyalty.

Chairman Paul Hornby said: “Russ has been a tremendous fundraiser for the club and the trust for more years than most of us care to remember.

“He’s a lovely guy who is never too busy to share a word or a story from yesteryear, and it’s just wonderful to see how what began as a draw for a bottle of whisky has developed into something so huge.

“It’s been a massive success story since those early beginnings and, now it’s moved online as well with Russ’ name, that is his legacy firmly cemented.

“This award is thoroughly deserved for someone who has only ever had the club’s best interests at heart, and I am thrilled that we can honour him in this fashion.”

Mr Rawley said of the life membership honour: "I’m chuffed to bits – it’s come as such a big surprise.

“I started doing a little bit of fundraising a few years ago ad it’s amazing to see how it has grown into such a well-known part of matchdays.

“It was only every really done to assist the club’s coffers and I never imagined that my little bit would be so well received by the management and the board.”

There will be a presentation to Mr Rawley at half-time during Barrow's home clash with Mansfield Town on Saturday, January 22.