A RUGBY club has received more than £4,000 in donations from the community within days of a request to fund the second phase of a major regeneration project.

Canvey Rugby Club, Dovervelt Road, faced difficulties with its plans to restore its clubhouse when builders encountered a number of extra problems with the aged building.

It meant another £3,500 had to be raised on top of the original £10,000 to improve its changing rooms and showers for the youth teams.

Club President Richard Smith said the community around the club rallied to raise £2,000 in just two hours after the GoFundMe page was posted online.

He said: “The support has been absolutely unbelievable.

“We have people who have not been involved in the club for years; old players, former club members, it shows how important this club is to the community.

“We have had people who do not even live in the area support us.

“One of our former players lives in Walthamstow now and has played for five clubs since, but he showed his support.

“It means a huge amount to everyone at the club.”

The club asked for £50 donations from supporters.

In return their name would be placed on the wall of the new clubhouse, on a golden engraved plaque.

A spokesman for the club said: “The plaques will be on display at all times and become a permanent feature of the clubhouse.

“It will become a very special part of the restoration project and your sponsorship will, quite literally, help us build Canvey Rugby Club’s future.

“The plaques are black with gold engraving.

“We have a limited number of bricks available and once they are gone, they are gone.”

In just three days, the page topped its £3,500 target, hitting £4,055

Richard said: “Two days is all it took for us to hit the target.

“We thought it was quick when we raised £10,000 the first time, but we could not believe everyone came together this quickly.”

The next phase of construction is set to begin on the club’s facilities throughout this month.

The original appeal was made in May this year.

The page is still accepting donations and if you would like to show your support, go to www.gofundme.com/canvey-rfc-clubhouse-buy-a-brick