A group of junior doctors has launched a fundraising campaign in an effort to take Jeremy Hunt to court and stop the imposition of their new contract.

Calling themselves JustHealth, the junior doctors involved are hoping to raise £100,000 to pay for solicitors fees.

Since being launched on Sunday, the campaign has already raised £56,936 - easily beating the original goal of £25.000.

On their fundraising website, the group wrote: "We are asking for funding to take an independent legal action started by doctors but ultimately involving all interested parties.

"We are challenging the imposition of an unplanned and dangerous contract which will affect patient wellbeing and safety.

"We ask for your help to raise £25,000 initially to start to investigate a judicial review process and are aiming to establish a further working case fund of £100,000. This is an all or nothing target and without your support we cannot get this case off the ground."

The British Medical Association (BMA), the doctor's union, is already seeking a judicial review into these contracts on the basis the Department of Health did not carry out an Equality Impact Assessment for the contract.

Dr Francesca Silman from JustHealth said the judicial review they are gunning for will be more wide-reaching.

"We all work together, so this would be looking at absolutely everything - dentists would be affected, and we would be looking at how it might affect nurses on the ward," she said.

The group said it enjoyed the backing of prominent medical staff and patient safety advocates such as Dr Phil Hammond, vice-president of the Patient's Association.

In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Show all 10 1 /10 In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK 20,000 Junior Doctors marched through central London in protest at the new contract changes the government is trying to impose which they say will be unfair and unsafe In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Junior doctors protest in London In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK 4 year old Cassius takes part in a demonstration in Westminster, in support of junior doctors over changes to NHS contracts, London In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Protest over proposed changes to junior doctors' contracts, Leeds In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Junior doctors and NHS staff protesting against the health service cuts and the proposed contract changes offered by the government outside Parliament In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Junior doctors and NHS staff protesting against the health service cuts and the proposed contract changes offered by the government outside Parliament In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Over 5000 junior doctors rallied in Waterloo place, before marching through Whitehall and onto Parliament Square, in opposition to Jeremy Hunt's new working conditions for doctors In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Demonstrators listen to speeches in Waterloo Place during the 'Let's Save the NHS' rally and protest march by junior doctors In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Junior doctors marched in London to highlight their plight In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK A protester at a demonstration in support of junior doctors in London

JustHealth's Dr Ben White said patient safety was at the heart of the issue.

"Forget the lies and propaganda," he said.

"The imposition of the junior doctors' contract affects all NHS service users.

"Staff know that the lack of workforce planning, lack of cost modelling, plus rota and staffing issues, create a perfect storm where patient safety will inevitably be compromised.

"We must challenge this contract in the High Court. A judicial review would consider all relevant factors and hold the Government accountable for decisions it has made. Ultimately, this is about public safety."

The imposed contract introduces an increase in basic salary of 13.5%, while night shifts and long shifts will be limited.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt arrives for a cabinet meeting at Number 10 Downing Street (Reuters)

In addtion, 7am to 5pm on Saturdays will be regarded as a normal working day.

At the moment, 7pm to 7am Monday to Friday and the whole of Saturday and Sunday attract a premium rate of pay for junior doctors.

The Government plans for the Saturday day shift to be paid at a normal rate in return for a hike in basic pay.