Stoke's Jack Butland stuns GB deaf women's squad with generous donation

The team had been looking to raise £10,000 to enable them to travel to Italy for the summer's Deaf World Cup. They are a voluntary organisation and rely on external support to attend tournaments.

Butland amazed them by donating half of their target via their JustGiving page, writing: "Now you're nearly there! Happy New Year and good luck!"

GB Deaf Football player and appeal manager Claire Stancliffe told Eurosport.com they were "stunned, shocked, and in disbelief" at the donation from Butland.

They have also received support across sport, including from England manager Mark Sampson and former captain Casey Stoney. Lionesses Jo Potter, Carly Telford and Jade Moore are named as donors online along with under-19 midfielder Leah WIlliamson and England cricketer Georgia Elwiss, and Wales international Jess Fishlock has been tweeting about the project.

Although the initial £10,000 target has now been achieved, the squad will also need to match that money with their own fundraising efforts over the next six months. If they manage to raise more via crowdfunding, they have already said they will be able to focus their attention on training and preparation.