BISHOPTHORPE White Rose Football Club are staging a “Run to Wembley” fundraising event on Saturday to help build new pitches and a clubhouse in the village.

The challenge, which will be started by BBC Look North presenter Harry Gratian, will see players collectively run 796 sponsored laps to total the 198-mile distance from Bishopthorpe to Wembley Stadium.

It is intended that the run will also be completed in the three-hour-and-11-minute driving time it takes to cover the journey by car with the run beginning at 12noon on the Archbishop of York Junior School field on Copmanthorpe Lane.

Aiming to keep the “fun” in fundraising, the afternoon will also include bubble football, mini-golf, a barbecue, live music and bouncy slides.

A raffle will be held, meanwhile, with a host of top prizes including a round of golf for four people at Forest Park, a pair of tickets to watch a Harrogate Town game including pre-match lunch, two tickets to a Theatre Royal Production and afternoon tea for two at Aldwark Manor Golf & Spa Hotel.

Having outgrown available facilities in Bishopthorpe, the club currently plays games across five different sites and does not have a home ground, clubhouse or focal point in the community.

The club have now secured agreement and funding in principle, though, from the City of York council and Football Association to build their new premises on land off Sim Balk Lane.

But there is also an onus on the club to raise a considerable five-figure sum with Alan Drewer, chair of the club’s fundraising committee, pointing out: “It’s up to us to make this vision a reality.

“We are moving full-steam ahead to reach our target of £80,000, the initial amount needed to break ground on this project. We are relying on the generosity of club supporters, local businesses, lucky grant applications and events like Run to Wembley to do this.”

Bishopthorpe White Rose were the winners of the 2017 North Riding County FA’s Regional Club of the Year and Charter Standard Club of the Year awards, which recognised their grassroots’ efforts in volunteering, development, growth and excellence.

The club has grown from 19 players to nearly 400 since being formed in 1999 with girls and boys catered for at every age level from five to 19 and two disability teams.

White Rose would also welcome contact from anybody interested in sponsorship and assisting with future fundraising events via email at bishopthorpewhiterose@gmail.com or calling 07891 876066.