Young football stars of the future are putting in the hard yards on the Road to Wembley, motivated by a worthy cause.

Whitehaven AFC Under 12 and Under 13 girls have embarked on a Road to Wembley charity challenge.

The girls are raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support and the Covid wards in West Cumberland Hospital by running the equivalent distance from the football club, to Wembley and back again.

Chairman of the grassroots football club Luke Johnson said: “The ladies are doing amazing so far with other £1000 raised for a very worthy cause. “It’s difficult for them at the moment during lockdown but they have shown commitment and devotion to staying physically fit.”

The girls train under the watchful eye of Under 12 and Under 13 head coach Rob Campbell, who said: “The health benefits of football both physically and mentally are huge so it’s a massive hole in their lives at the minute.

“I wanted to come up with something that they all could get involved with and would in these difficult times give them all a goal, some motivation as an individual but also to feel that bond with their team mates who they can’t be with right now.”

It was the team’s decision to support the unflinching charity workers and NHS lifesavers.

Mr Campbell said: “These girls have always wanted to help in the community and it was them who chose two groups they wanted to raise money for, The Macmillan Cancer Support and also for the staff doing amazing work on the Covid-19 wards at West Cumberland Hospital.”

The coach is proud of how the girls have conducted themselves: “The girls have really got stuck in straight away and pushing themselves and are really thankful for the support they have received already from the community”

Both teams are taking part in the 1050km endurance challenge as well as Mr Cambell, six other coaches and a club volunteer.