BEDFORD High School's dream trip to play at Wembley Stadium has been given a significant cash boost.

Leigh RL Past Players Association has donated £500 to help towards the cost of sending the team to London to play in a curtain-raiser before the Challenge Cup Final in August.

The Leigh RL Past Players Association was keen to offer their financial support to help the Y7 team enjoy a weekend to remember.

The Bedford High boys will become the first Leigh Schools team to play at the famous stadium since 1994.

In the National Schools Final they will come up against the Archbishop Sentamu Academy from Hull, having reached Wembley with victories in Cardiff and Castleford.

Just a few days after cementing their Wembley place, the team added another major honour with a 10-0 win over Haydock in the North West Counties final and could make it a hat-trick of successes if they beat St Peter's of Wigan in the Wigan Schools Final.

Team head coach Dean Balmer says: "This is a sensational gesture from the Leigh RL Past Players Association and will help considerably in making it the weekend of a lifetime for the boys.

"We can't thank the Past Players enough." As well as Dean, the team is coached by teacher Rob Drinnan and assistant coach Jason Holland.

Dean adds: "The costs of transport, accommodation and kit for the entire squad is a significant amount and we have to raise that ourselves.

"We are determined to give the lads the best possible weekend so every donation, no matter how large or small, would be gratefully received."

A gofundme page has been set up. Donations can be made via https//gofund.me/5bb581ce Notable former Leigh RL players to emerge from the Bedford High School system includes John Woods, Tony Cottrell, Alan Hadcroft, Ray Tabern, Darren Beazant, Anthony Murray, Andy Collier and Craig Dean.