More than 100 young footballers ran the equivalent distance of Land’s End to John O’Groats and hope to have raised £10,000 for a five-year-old boy who is battling leukaemia.
Alfie Fagan, of Shelley, was diagnosed shortly after joining the under-5s team at Kirkburton Junior Football Club.
The club launched an online fundraiser to help Alfie’s family cope with expenses around his chemotherapy treatment and recovery.
A fun day was held on Saturday at Kirkburton Middle School where youngsters took part in a sponsored run, totalling a combined 874 miles.
The runners were joined on the day by four special guests – ex-Huddersfield Town promotion-winning heroes Mark Hudson, Michael Hefele, Elias Kachunga and Tommy Smith.
READ MORE: Community rallies to help little Alfie – donate here
Alfie’s dad is Mark Fagan, who was head of first team operations at Town when the club was in the Premier League.
Despite undergoing treatment Alfie himself was there in a wheelchair to support his teammates. He met the former Town players who helped cheer him up and bring a smile to his face.
The Town players also took part in a penalty shoot-out with the youngsters and right-back Tommy Smith went in goal.
One of the organisers, Dave Jowett, said: “The event was fantastic and we are all really happy with how it’s gone. It’s been really well organised, and to see the kids’ faces after meeting their heroes in the Town players was really special.
“We have met the challenge we set which is amazing really. It’s been an outstanding effort from everyone. We are hopeful we’ll clear £10,000 which is brilliant.
“I think sometimes footballers get a bad rap but these guys have been amazing. The number of parents I have seen commenting on social media saying how good they were with the kids was great to see.
“They have given up their time and spent four or five hours with us which they didn’t have to do. They turned up and got involved and within 20 minutes had set the first group of runners off. We had over 100 kids running from our under-5s to under-17s.
“Tommy Smith went in goal and the kids were taking shots against him. I think they were a little star-struck.
“Our under 17s ran up to Emley Moor mast on Tuesday and collectively ran over 100 miles and raised £230.”
