Blackburn Rovers have thanked fans for raising more than £3,000 to help children and families.

The club also donated £3,000 from ticket sales following the game against Watford at Ewood Park in December.

The money raised following their Fan Takeover Day fixture against the Hornets, helped many people in within the local communities.

Blackburn Rovers Community Trust was able to use the funding to enhance its Holiday Food and Activity (HAF) programme.

HAF provides support to children in receipt of free school meals, and all those in attendance were given a warm meal alongside various fun activities.

This year, the club was able to give each child an additional take home meal, a visit from a children’s entertainer/magician, and a Blackburn Rovers membership pack.

This included a lunchbox, beanie hat and stickers as a reminder of their time at Rovers.

Blackburn Rovers Women’s team player Annie Hutchings and Head of Performance, Martin Hamer, also paid a visit to HAF to show their support for the programme and meet the children.

The donation helped provide an opportunity for the young people to experience a matchday at Ewood Park, forming the guard of honour to welcome both teams on to the pitch ahead of the Watford match.

Head of operations at Blackburn Rovers Community Trust, Martin Winters, said: “Our HAF programme is just one of many impactful initiatives ran by Blackburn Rovers Community Trust, making a real positive difference on people’s lives.

“HAF has a significant positive impact on the young people involved, providing a safe and welcoming environment.

“The kind donations we have received will continue into Easter and the summer months to help various other programmes we run to support our community.

“We would like to say a huge thank you to all of the supporters for showing their support and raising vital funds to help children and families during the festive period.”

Chair of the Rovers Supporters Trust, Mike Graham, said: “On behalf of ‘We Are The Rovers’ Supporters Trust and on a personal level I am very proud that Rovers fans contributed so much financially to Blackburn Rovers Community Trust and in particular their invaluable HAF programme.

“The Fans Takeover for the Watford game was the catalyst and the idea from the Community Trust that we fundraise for the HAF programme was excellent.

"It was an opportunity to bring new supporters to our great football club but also to give a helping hand to those facing real challenges in their daily lives.  

“The feedback from HAF participants has been fantastic and hopefully this is the start of an enduring and ongoing relationship between Rovers supporters groups, the Supporters Trust and Blackburn Rovers Community Trust.”

Michelle, whose son attended the HAF, said: “My son has ADHD and he is on the autism pathway, and having a routine is important to him.

“The school week provides him with that but during the school holidays he can struggle with the change of routine.

“I received an email telling me all about HAF and I spoke to a few friends whose children had already been and they explained to me what it was like.

“I am really proud of him as this is something he has ever done before. The staff have been great and reassuring as they understood him and I knew they would help him.

“I got that feeling as soon as I walked into the building.”