Donations understood to include ‘substantial cheque’ from Holly Valance with funds also boosted by new memberships

Reform UK has raised £1.5m worth of funds in the days after Nigel Farage’s return as party leader, when he declared he would run to be an MP.

While Reform’s electoral fortunes have been transformed, its war chest has been boosted by money from thousands of new members as well as pledges from bigger donors, the Guardian has learned.