A fundraiser has been set up for a rugby player who lost everything in the major Kirkby Lonsdale fire.

On Sunday, December 8, a fire started on the Main Street in Kirkby Lonsdale.

Cumbria Police confirmed a man in his 40s died as a result of the incident.

Many were impacted by the fire, police said, including a Kirkby Lonsdale rugby union player Jakob Smith.

In a fundraiser set up by Kirkby Lonsdale Rugby Union chairman Brian Gregory, he explained Jakob “lost every possession he had”.

Gregory also claimed the fire took the life of an “important supporter” of the club.

The Herdwick News has contacted Cumbria Police for further confirmation of the man’s name.

In the fundraiser Mr Gregory said: “This devastating loss also destroyed an iconic building, including the home of Jakob, a Kiwi player here at our rugby club.

“Jakob is far from home and having lost every possession he had, he now needs our community to support him.

“Even a few pounds can help him start to rebuild his life, and show that in Kirkby Lonsdale and in the wider rugby community no one stands alone. Thank you for bringing some hope and comfort to a grieving community.”

The fundraiser has raised almost £10,000 for anyone who wants to donate to the fundraiser can do so here