JUNIOR footballers are jumping for joy after completing a unique sponsorship challenge.

The under 14s Runcorn Linnets Sunday Blue side were tasked with jumping up and down 100,000 times between them on a bouncy castle.

Equating to 6,666 bounces each, they leapt at the chance to raise much needed funds for kit and training wear despite the challenge taking place on a particularly hot evening.

The determination to succeed that recently saw the team complete a league and cup double in the Chester and District Junior Football League was plain for all to see outside Linnets’ Millbank Stadium on Wednesday July 11.

It took the boys a few hours to reach the magic 100,000 mark and be hailed by applauding coaches and parents.

Team manager Kev Lampkin, a former professional footballer with Liverpool and Huddersfield Town, said: “The boys did us all proud, as usual.

“Now that they play 11-a-side football and are in adult sizes, the team’s kit and training wear costs a lot more than it used to.

“Lots of football teams are forced to fold because of this.

“The cost of kit and training wear make it essential for the team to do some sort of fundraising and with us being sponsored by ASB Bouncy Castle Hire the sponsored bounce idea was a perfect fit.

“The company provided the bouncy castle for free, which we are extremely grateful for, and the boys showed immense endurance and determination to complete the challenge despite the hot weather.

“Bouncing up and down on a bouncy castle in searing heat for a prolonged period of time is exhausting, as all the boys discovered.

“But, as they proved last season by recovering from a slow start to the campaign to win a league and cup double, they are made of stern stuff and I can’t praise them enough for turning up on such a hot day and for putting so much effort in.

“Sponsorship money is still coming in and it looks like the challenge will end up raising more than £500 for the team.

“That money will be crucial for the team moving forward and I would like to thank all the boys and those who sponsored them as well as the people at ASB Bouncy Castle Hire.”