A WIRRAL rugby club have launched a Crowdfunding appeal to help them develop a 'community hub'. 

Prenton RUFC are hoping the work on their site will benefit the wider community and are calling for members of the public to get involved — with rewards on offer for donating.

With the closure of local facilities such as the playing fields, library, community centre, youth club and pub, the club claim they have been "bridging the gap and revolutionising the role of a rugby club in today’s society".

Through the Prenton RUFC Community Hub, the club has been offering kids clubs, fundraising and community events, a community garden and more, whilst acting as a space to be used by local community groups.

The club have also been using rugby as a tool to combat issues such as obesity, anti-social behaviour, mental health problems and isolation.

The club now aims to develop its existing site and facilities to include a community café, gym, events space and multi-use sports facilities for the wider community to use.

Backed by the RFU and Sport England and championed by top rugby figures such as Jason Leonard and Wirral-born Matt Dawson, the project stands to act as a flagship for rugby clubs across the UK but requires support from the local community.

By donating to the Crowdfunder, people will not only be helping benefit the community for many years to come, they will also have the chance to claim some amazing prizes.

Throughout the eight week Crowdfunder campaign, there will be a number of ‘rewards’ that will continue to get added and can be claimed for different donation amounts.

Prenton’s Brian Elkerton said: “We have been doing some fantastic work during the past few years, hosting community events and kids clubs, raising tens of thousands for charity, working with community groups, the Community Payback Team and more.

"We’ve been a hub in every sense of the word — bridging the gap in a massive way.“

He continued: “We’ve just partnered with National Grid for a big conservation project here but we’ve been wanting to take the site to the next level for some time.

(Image: Paul Curran) "We have backing from Wirral Council, Sport England and the RFU to develop the site and create state of the art facilities for the community but need support of the general public to donate to our Crowdfunder and make this dream a reality.”

Prenton’s Crowdfunder started on Friday, October 18 and is running for eight weeks.

It aims to raise £50,000 which will go towards the much needed funds required to complete the first phase of building.