FOOTBALL fans have raised more than £38,000 for their local hospice.

Members of the Consett and District branch of the Sunderland Supporters’ Association have been presented with a banner to mark their five years of fund raising for Willow Burn Hospice.

The branch was set up in 1995 at a meeting in the town’s Demi Club, which was attended by 150 Sunderland fans.

In 2012, members adopted Willow Burn as its chosen charity and since then have held repeated fund raising events, including cycle rides from Consett to the Stadium of Light and collections on the bus on the way to home games.

In total, supporters have now raised £38,815 for Willow Burn.

Presenting a banner to members, Jacki Pigford from the hospice said: “We are so grateful for the support that the Consett Sunderland Supporters’ Club has given Willow Burn over the last five years.

“To raise more than £38,000 is a fantastic achievement and it has made such a difference to the people we care for.”

Kevin Clare, secretary of Consett Sunderland Supporters Club, said: “We ask our members which charity they want to support and year on year they say Willow Burn.

“The hospice is so well thought of in the area and everyone in the club has been touched by what they do.”

Next year, members plan to organise a 24-mile walk from Consett to the Stadium of Light and are planning a skydive to bring in more funds.

For further information about the Consett Sunderland Supporters Club, please visit their website consettsafcsa.com.