A mental health ward of the West Cumberland Hospital is set to benefit from £10,000 in fundraising, thanks to the rugby community of West Cumbria.

The Five Wainwrights Challenge, set to take place on Saturday, July 11, will involve rugby league players from Workington Town and Whitehaven as well as representatives of the Referees Society and players from amateur clubs. Copeland councillor and mental health champion Carl Walmsley will also take part in the endurance effort alongside organisers Ryan Dodgson and Gary Hewer.

Coun Walmsley said: “I’ve long had a passion for mental health.

“The mental health wards in this area don’t get spoken about much, but I’ve seen the amazing and difficult work those staff do, so when Ryan and Gary asked me where money should go I thought of Yewdale straight away.”

Staff of the Yewdale Ward, an acute mental health inpatient unit, are grateful for the support, a targeted £10,000.

Ward manager Paula McDonald said: “We are overwhelmed that the rugby community have decided to donate so generously to our ward.

“All the money raised will be used to kick-start a project we’ve wanted to do for a while, to give our ward’s outside space a makeover. The courtyard is safe but dreary, and it could be utilised for so much more."

Staff of the Yewdale ward aim to turn the courtyard into a bright and therapeutic space.