COMMUNITY spirited footballers have changed tact due to not currently being able to play matches.

Heart Warriors FC are a charity side who rely on being able to schedule and participate in games to raise funds for their chosen charity Ronald McDonald House at Alder Hey Children's Hospital.

But that's not been possible during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown.

"So we have been looking at other ways to raise much needed money for the charity," said spokesman Marc Stanley.

"Now that lockdown has eased slightly, we have planned to climb 950-metre high Helvellyn in the Lake District while abiding by all current Covid-19 guidelines on August 9 and gain sponsorship to do so in order to be able to provide some support.

Readers are invited to donate at justgiving.com/fundraising/heart-warriors-fc-helvellyn

Heart Warriors, whose players are based in this area, have played matches in Northwich, Middlewich and Winsford as well as nationwide against other charity teams.

The team have recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of their inaugural game at Middlewich Town.

"That was supposed to be a one-off event as one of our founding members actually used the facility at Alder Hey when his son was born with a rare heart defect," said Marc, in reference to Ronald McDonald House's provision of free accommodation and support to families who have children staying at the hospital.

"This event raised over £3,000 and as a result we decided to continue our efforts with regular matches."

The bulk of the squad is made up of friends who used to play together in a six-a-side league at Sir John Deane’s College around 10 years ago.

Games had been organised against a Hollyoaks XI and Emmerdale XI which should have taken place during lockdown but had to be postponed.

"We are currently also running a football card for the opportunity to have a business owner’s name/logo on our training tracksuits for £10 per square (40 available)," said Marc.

Follow the team on social media at facebook.com/heartwarriorsfc/ or twitter.com/heartwarriorsfc or on Instagram @heartwarriorsfc.