A JUNIOR rugby player looking to raise money to buy his team some kit while also raising funds for charity has received substantial backing.

Warren Robinson from Great Sankey set out on a mission to run 100km over 10 successive days hoping to attract donations totalling £300 for the benefit of Woolston Rovers U11s Greens and Cancer Research UK.

But, with his running mission now completed, the Evelyn Street Primary School student has been backed to the tune of more than £1,300 – and he has had help with the running from a Warrington Wolves player.

'Wazza' decided to go running with his dad, Matt, during lockdown to keep on top of his fitness.

The 11-year-old then set himself the fundraising challenge, which he finished last night.

Warren has chosen to support Cancer Research UK because he considers it an important cause as the illness can 'affect a lot of families'.

And his 10k in 10 days idea was inspired by the seven marathons in seven days run by Kevin Sinfield for the Motor Neurone Disease Association in honour of his former Leeds Rhinos and Great Britain teammate Rob Burrow.

"Warrington Wolves' Ellis Robson kindly run with him on his fourth day, last Thursday, which was the day Warren got his fastest time," said his dad, Matt.

"I've been running with him and said it would be good if we could keep our times under 1hr 10mins. But Warren absolutely smashed it with Ellis, around 57mins.

"Ellis gave him a signed ball too which was really kind of him."

You can still donate to Warren's fundraising until Sunday at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/wazzas-10k-a-day-for-10-days

Rovers' junior section chairman Pete Bowden has hailed Warren as an 'inspiration'.

"This last 12 months have been extremely challenging for everyone, but not least the young people who have not only been deprived of their school education; they have also been robbed of their leisure time," said Pete.

"These young people have had to deal with home schooling and like many of us must have begun to think of their houses as a bit like a prison.

"Throughout all of this the coaches at Woolston Rovers and most other community rugby league clubs have tried to keep the kids fit with zoom training sessions, but there's only so much you can get out of this.

"What Warren has decided to do is truly an inspiration. For an 11 year old kid to run one 10K is beyond what most of us would consider but to do 10 in 10 days is amazing.

"His idea has also had the effect of getting his teammates away from the computer screen for training sessions and out of the house in supporting his effort.

"The lads have really pulled together to join him on socially distanced and virtual social media runs alongside him. I think this will help them bond again as a team when they can get back on the pitch.

"On top of that he has raised in excess of £1,000 to date for charity. It is a perfect example of what community rugby league is all about and everyone at Woolston Rovers is immensely proud of Warren and his teammates."