Eight men from Golcar are taking on the Liverpool Half Marathon on Sunday (March 26) to raise money for The Jordan Sinnott Foundation Trust and the Alzheimer’s Society.
Former Golcar United player Ben Burnett and Eddie Wilson, grandson of legendary Huddersfield Town left-back and former World Cup winner Ray Wilson, will be taking part alongside six other friends.
The others in the group – who call themselves the Golcar Gliders – are: Lee Davies, Curtis Israel, Jack Peacock, Jonathan Lendon, Jamie Arundel and Lou Brook. Some of the group are experienced runners while others are very much novices and doing it for the challenge.
So far the group have raised more than £2,000 and on their JustGiving page they say: “We would love to raise money for two charities that are very close to our hearts. We would like to split everything we raise between the Alzheimer’s Society and the Jordan Sinnott Foundation Trust.
“The Alzheimer’s Society is a vital source of support and a powerful force for change for everyone affected by dementia. By 2025, one million people will be living with the condition in the UK, and many millions more carers, partners, families and friends are affected.
“The Jordan Sinnott Foundation Trust’s mission is to support vulnerable and under-privileged children and young adults to access healthy recreation and ensure that they have the opportunity to fulfill their potential and enjoy the life changing benefits that come from sport.”
One of the runners, Lee Davies, said of the event: “We all have different targets. Jonny is the only previous runner of the Liverpool Half Marathon. He will be aiming to beat his previous time of one hour and 50 minutes. Jack has previously completed a marathon and will be looking to set a strong pace.
“Ben is a former Golcar United legend and has recently retired from semi pro football. He has scored many big goals for the club, helping them get to where they are now.
“Eddie is the grandson of Ray Wilson who, as we all know, was an amazing player and legend. Sadly Ray was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and so that is a charity close to Eddie’s heart.
“Curtis and I will be delighted if we can just make the finish line before the roads re-open to be honest! I have done a bit of training, Curtis on the other hand not so much.
“So, as you can see, we’ve all got different reasons for taking part and wanting to do it. For some it’s not going to be enjoyable. It’ll be painful but we know the money is going to two great causes and that pushes us on. We are all close friends who live in or near the village and so we know what a tight community it is.”
Eddie Wilson said: “The marathon will be tough but we know how much the funds mean to the two charities and the help and support they provide people.
“I know from first hand experience how hard it is for someone to live and care for someone with Alzheimer’s. I saw what grandma had to do and it’s an awful disease that we still know so little about. That’s why it’s important to raise funds for the charity.”
If you want to donate to the group’s fundraising efforts click the link HERE.
