Kenilworth Rugby Football Club (KRFC) has released a "heartfelt thank you" to all those who helped raise over £25,000 to make sure the club survives.

In September the Glasshouse Lane outfit launched an "urgent" appeal to locals to help it pay for "large and unexpected" costs which needed to be met to keep KRFC afloat.

And in a video message this week, club chairman Paul Fountaine announced over £25,000 has been raised in the space of just a few weeks.

"What a fantastic response we have had," he said. 

"This is a heartfelt thank you to everyone - all the small businesses in Kenilworth, all our sponsors, our members and everyone who has pledged to support the campaign. 

"We have had donations from Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, quite literally all over the world. And we have been blown away by the Ken family support for the rugby club. 

"I am thrilled to be able to tell you that we have raised over £25,000. 

"So thank you, thank you to Sport England for your match funding and thank you to everyone that donated."

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The initiative has received a number of substantial donations, including two anonymous gifts each of around £3,000.

The club - which is preparing to celebrate its centenary - is also gearing up to move to a new ground on Warwick Road, so has ruled out installing any greener energy alternatives at Glasshouse Lane to help save cash.

Visit the fundraising page here.