NON-LEAGUE club Clapton CFC raised more than £1,500 in 24 hours through its Clapton Against Corona Hardship Fund today.

The community side in east London, which is 100-per-cent owned by its fans, is aiming to collect £5,000 to be redistributed among any of its members who hit financial trouble due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

The club suggested that this could be done by donating the usual £3 match admission or £5 for those who’d normally buy programme — up to “£20+ including celebratory post-match Tyskies” — though some donors had given as much as £200 today.

The club says: “The idea is to help Clapton CFC members during this crisis by appealing to those who will continue to receive a regular income to donate generously to support those within our membership who will be hit hard financially by recent events.

“Of course, we are thinking about the unemployed and those on benefits, but also the self-employed, those on zero-hour contracts or freelancers who suddenly find they have a dramatically reduced income and, as yet, no clear government support.”

The club said that it would not place restrictions on how the funds are used but rather would aim to provide short-term cashflow relief to those most in need.

“As a club, as a community, we know this isn’t a complete solution and that we won’t be able to help everyone.

“However, by coming together, we can make a small short-term difference to some of our members lives.”

For the Clapton Against Corona fundraiser visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/clapton-cfc-hardship-fund

To join Clapton CFC visit: https://membermojo.co.uk/ccfc/