A 'stalwart' of Cumbrian rugby is using the celebration of his career to raise money for charity.

James Newton has spent 11 seasons at Whitehaven, along with spells at Workington and Hull FC.

But his journey in the sport started in Millom which is where the testimonial is set to take place.

James pictured in 2018James pictured in 2018 (Image: Gary McKeating)

James said: "I’d been playing in the open-age first team at Millom for a couple of seasons and was called up for the tri-series county games against Lancashire and Yorkshire in 2010.

“Then I got a phone call from Richard Agar, who was the Hull coach at that time, saying he’d seen me playing for Cumbria and offering me a two-year development deal, which I accepted.

“It was a big thing for me, leaving Cumbria and having to cope on my own, but the experience of being at a Super League club was great, and even though it didn’t progress from the initial contract, I don’t regret going.”

James signing for Workington in 2017James signing for Workington in 2017 (Image: NQ)

The three-month long testimonial is also being used to bring in funds for St Mary's Hospice, which cares for people across south Cumbria from its base in Ulverston.

One of the other beneficiaries is Millom RLFC, with an event at Millom Rugby League Gym hosting a fundraising event on Saturday, September 14.

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A spokesperson from the gym commented: "James has trained out of the gym his whole life so we thought it was fitting to help him with this.

"He has also asked if we could raise some money to go towards the MRLFC mini setup as that is where he started his rugby journey and would like to show his appreciation to them."

The testimonial is running from August 24 until November 24, though fundraising events have already been taking place.

This included a youth training camp at Whitehaven RLFC in June, with a golf day set to come on Friday, August 9 at Whitehaven Golf Club.

You can follow the testimonial and find out more about upcoming events by visiting the Facebook page here.