Quakers' £22,850 boost gives club a vital breathing space

That was the total raised in only a week after the newspaper appealed to local businesses, organisations and individuals to sponsor a minute of Saturday's home game against Rochdale.

The cheque, which goes towards the club's day-to-day running costs, was presented to the Quakers' manager, David Hodgson, by David Kelly, managing director of Newsquest North-East, publisher of The Northern Echo.

Administrators had warned that they would close the club if enough money had not been raised to cover running costs by the end of January.

But the Quakers have now been given a breathing space thanks to an all-stars match on January 25, which raised more than £120,000, plus the cash generated by Saturday's game, and The Northern Echo's appeal.

The response to the sponsor-a-minute appeal exceeded all expectations, with donations flooding in daily to the newspaper. Companies and organisations queued up to sponsor a minute for £100, while individuals added to the tally by donating £50 per minute.

The appeal was so successful, some minutes had multiple sponsors. A roll of honour of those supporting the initiative was published in The Northern Echo every day last week, and in its sister papers, the Darlington & Stockton Times and The Advertiser.

Another £1,000 was added to the total when Stephen Moss, of the Turf Hotel, Richmond, made the top bid for Paul Gascoigne's boots.

David Hodgson said: "The Northern Echo's support has been invaluable and this is a magnificent amount of money to raise so quickly."

Despite heavy rain, a good crowd of 5,689 responded to the club's on-going appeal for support. And the supporters were not left disappointed as the Quakers celebrated their first victory of the year against Rochdale, with the winning goal being scored in the 80th minute.

The club's short-term future may be secure, but its long-term survival remains in doubt.

Read more about the Quakers here.