Bootle fundraiser taking on 56-mile rail running challenge
Alex Rigby is running to every MerseyRail Northern Line station
A Bootle man is taking on the mammoth challenge of running to every MerseyRail Northern Line station in a day to raise money for charity.
Alex Rigby is taking on the 56-mile challenge for Centre 56, a domestic abuse charity supporting families and children.
He starts from Hunts Cross in south Liverpool at 6am.
Alex said:
"I've had this idea in my mind since the summer, in August. I did a similar challenge last year called 'One L of a Challenge' where it was to run to every L postcode in a day which raised a lot of money for my cricket club in Ainsdale.
"I thought I've got to do something bigger and better and try and run all the train stations this time!
"It was 60 miles originally, but now we've got it down to 56 through shortcuts. The navigation side is probably around 56 miles, which is appropriate given we called Centre 56.
"It's going to be the toughest (challenge) in terms of there's a lot more hills in this one. The last one, the hills were at the start in Ormskirk and this time I'm going to be 40 miles in running through Ormskirk.
"It's going to be a lot tougher and the weather was kind to me last year and I can't see lightning striking twice and having good weather twice in February!"
He's hoping to raise £20,000 for Centre 56 and has received some high-profile support ahead of today's challenge!
Celebrities including Natasha Hamilton, Jamie Carragher, John Barnes and Graeme Stuart have all sent messages of support.
Alex added:
"We're finishing in Kirkdale Station, right by where the nursery is, and that's what it's all about.
"It's bringing people to Kirkdale from all over the city, running all over the city, bringing people into the area and just showing this is where we are, this is what we're doing and there's help out there for people who need it - especially people who've got young children who've suffered domestic abuse."