AN intrepid Barrow fan has successfully hitch-hiked his way through Europe smashing through his fundraising target.

Steve Herbert, chairman of the Bluebirds Trust has successfully hitch-hiked his way from Furness to Cologne in Germany beating his fundraising target of £1,000.

He first set off on his journey to watch Saturdays football game of FC Köln vs SV Sandhausen in a bid to help the Bluebirds’ Trust campaign to raise £50,000 for a stake in Barrow AFC.

So far he has raised £1,350 helping the Trust to reach £45,405 of their target.

Speaking to The Mail upon his arrival Steve said: “The journey has been absolutely exhausting, but at the same time it has been excitingly difficult.

"I have met loads of brilliant people on my way, with great conversations and some absolutely crazy driving.

"It has all been worth it to help the Bluebirds Trust reach the £50,000 target and we are now so close.

"I’ve hitched before in the UK so this was a great way to challenge myself and to raise the money we need.”

The link between a group of FC Köln fans and Bluebirds Supporters is well established, beginning after Barrow AFC fan Stuart Nichols started attending Bundesliga games in 2014.

Last year, one German fan attended Barrow games into double figures and there were six visitors for the Salford match at Christmas.

15-20 Barrow fans have visited, following FC Köln all over Germany in recent years.

The fans from Cologne have also been very supportive of the Trust's bid to raise money for a stake in Barrow AFC.

"So many different people have paid in, however the largest number of individual donations after Barrow itself is from Cologne in Germany," said Steve.

The latest stats show that the Trust has raised £45,405 of their £50,000 target with a total of 445 members.

If you would like to learn more about the Share Contribution Scheme and the Trust's bid to raise the £50,000 and how you can get involved visit: www.bluebirdstrust.co.uk/fanownership.