Fundraisers are set to run 96 miles in three days from Sheffield to Liverpool in memory of the 96 football fans who died in the Hillsborough disaster.
The second annual event will start on April 4th at Hillsborough Stadium and will end on April 6th at Anfield. The team of seven runners will take part in the challenge, supported by 10 other helpers and three physiotherapists. The team, who will be aiming to average 32 miles a day, are raising money for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and Sheffield’s Children’s Hospital.
Speaking to JMU Journalism, Andy Thornley, who has been involved in the event since last year, said the team’s fundraising so far is going well.
“We really want to surpass last year’s £15,000 and so far we’ve had a steady stream with donations which we’re hoping will spike closer to the time.”
Heavyweight boxer David Price will be running some of the distance with the team, as well as ex-Everton player Peter Reid.
After fundraising for The Hillsborough Families Support Group and the Hillsborough Justice Campaign, the runners decided to raise money for the two city’s children’s hospitals this year.
Training is in full swing in preparation for the runners to head to Sheffield next month.
Mr Thornley said: “Dom Williams, the team leader, said he’s ready to run tomorrow if he had to. They’re just trying to maintain their fitness now and stay injury free.”
“Hillsborough touched so many lives, including some of those running. Claire McGlone, whose dad died at Hillsborough, will be running as far as she can with the team. It’s going to be an emotional trip but if we can bring some good and leave a legacy then that’s the aim. There’s obviously a bond between the two cities and it’s about strengthening that link and raising money for the next generation,” he added.
Speaking on hillsborough-anfieldrun.com, Margaret Aspinall, Chairman of the Hillsborough Families Support Group, applauded the team for what they are doing.
Mrs Aspinall said: “I can only offer my own personal support for the team as they prepare for the 2013 event. This year will be very special as the aim will be to raise funds in memory of The 96 who lost their lives at Hillsborough, I can’t think of a better legacy than one that will help children who are ill.”
The event comes after the Hillsborough Independent Panel report into the handling of the crowd crush at Hillsborough Stadium, which blamed a “failure of police control” for the fans’ deaths.