DIEHARD football fans raised thousands for a children’s hospice by visiting 92 football clubs in 92 hours.

Nick Smith and friends Mike and Matt Cawston, Tony Baker and Andrew Scullion, all from South Woodham Ferrers, were inspired to help Little Havens children’s hospice after visiting an open day this year.

The friends came up with the 92 in 92 challenge which involved visiting every football league stadium in less than four days.

The boys set off from Southend United’s Roots Hall stadium and completed their challenge at Colchester United’s Weston Homes Community Stadium, in 87 hours 49 minutes and 14 seconds.

The group raised more than £5,500 and donations are still flooding in, doubling their original target of £2,000.

Nick said: “We were overwhelmed by the hospitality of the majority of the clubs we visited including Southend United, Fleetwood Town, Liverpool and Sunderland.

“There were many highlights – for example, meeting Port Vale manager Micky Adams and also being asked by Accrington Stanley to take Luton Town’s training kit back to them – they had played each other the week before and Luton had left their kit in the changing room!”

Little Havens Community Fundraiser, Peter Hall, said: “The guys did a fantastic job and have doubled their fundraising target so we can’t thank them enough. Little Havens Hospice can only exist because of the kindness of our supporters like Nick and his friends.

“By fundraising like this or making a donation the community is helping a young person living with a serious illness be as pain free and comfortable as possible – for as long as we’re needed, helping us fulfil our promise of ‘Making every day count’.”

To organise a fundraising event in aid of Little Havens Hospice, which is part of Havens Hospices, visit www.havenshospices.org.uk/fundraising for ideas or call 01702 220305.