Friday 1 January 2016 10:43, UK
England international Jack Butland has donated £5,000 to Great Britain's women's deaf football team.
An online appeal aiming to raise £10,000 - half the amount the British team need to attend June's Deaf World Cup in Italy - has now reached its target thanks to the Stoke goalkeeper's donation.
On Thursday morning @GB--DeafFootball tweeted: "Wow! Thank you so much @JackButland--One for the £5,000 donation. We are in shock! Just £1,890 to go."
Butland, 22, responded: "I've learnt a lot from major tournaments, experiences I'll never forget, I'd love for you to experience the same!"
Claire Stancliffe, who won bronze with Britain's deaf team at the 2008 World Cup, praised Butland, 22, for helping the squad's hopes of attending the tournament.
"Physically shaking. Thank you so much Jack Butland for the £5,000 donation. We are in shock," she tweeted.
Further support for the appeal has come from England internationals Fran Kirby, Jade Moore, Jo Potter and Lucy Bronze, along with Wales midfielder Jess Fishlock.
Butland, who has three England caps, also works as an ambassador for the Kick It Out anti-discrimination campaign.
