FORMER Whitehaven RL captain James Newton is taking on a walking challenge. 

The Cumbrian athlete fractured his vertebrae whilst playing for Whitehaven RL in their game against Halifax Panthers back in September. 

In the game on Sunday, September 29, club captain James Newton was helped off the field by medical personnel.

While Newton walked off the field, he later left The Ortus Rec via ambulance post-match and spent the night in the hospital.

James has been told that he can walk one kilometre a day and he will now be doing this to raise money for the Rugby League Benevolent Fund. 

Mr Newton said: "When I went into hospital in Newcastle, my mam and girlfriend had to stay in a hotel. 

"There's a group called the Benevolent Fund which runs beside the RFL, which is the governing body for rugby league. 

" The group reached out to cover some of the costs for my family, and they are also covering some of the costs of my rehabilitation treatment. 

"I'm doing this to raise some money for the Benevolent Fund because they supported me.

"I've gone from doing all aspects of fitness to having to rest for eight weeks, so I asked if I could walk one kilometre a day. 

"As long as I do it on flat terrain it would be safe to do so, and I've gone ahead with it."

On Monday, November 21, James will have his halo removed, which he has been wearing to support his neck since the injury. 

The day before this on Sunday, November 20, James will be walking a 5k walk around the school track in Millom. 

So far, James has managed to reach almost £4,000 of his £5k target. 

Lee Butterworth, who helped to organise the fundraiser, said: "The Benevolent Fund has been helping him out a lot so he's going to be donating some money towards them. 

"He's the most active person I know, he wanted to do something for the foundation that was helping him. 

"It's keeping him active and accountable by posting the updates on the GoFundMe page every day."