Everton coach 'overwhelmed' after completing 26-hour challenge
Jack Dowling is close to raising £100,000 for Macmillan Cancer
Everton first-team performance coach Jack Dowling says he's feeling overwhelmed as he edges closer to raising £100,000 for Macmillan Cancer in memory of his late brother.
Jack's brother Tom passed away earlier this year after a brave battle with bowel cancer.
Jack had already completed 26 marathons in 26 weeks and has now ran for 26 minutes on the hour, every hour, for 26 hours.
The challenge started on Tuesday 1 October, which would have been Tom's 37th birthday.
It started at Finch Farm, Everton's training ground, and took in the likes of the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, the city's two football stadiums, and The Bridewell, the pub where the brothers enjoyed spending time together.
It ended in their hometown of Crosby at Alive Fitness.
Jack said:
"It's just amazing the support we've had. I wish Tom was here to see it because I know he would've loved it.
"I can't thank everyone enough, every single person who has donated little or large, it really means a lot.
"We all know that effect that has on cancer patients all through the country and what Macmillan do."
An anonymous donation of £2600 came through during Jack's final run and Everton captain Seamus Coleman also made a sizeable donation and joined some of the challenge himself.
Amanda Horgan, Fundraising Manager for Macmillan Cancer in the North West, said:
"For Jack, he set out on this initial challenge to raise enough money to fund a Macmillan nurse for 26 weeks. Then he surpassed that and got to fund two Macmillan nurses for 26 weeks and with this challenge, he's blown it out of the water.
"He's been able to fund three Macmillan nurses for 26 weeks, which means that other families like his, who are going through a cancer diagnosis, are able to receive that vital emotional, financial and practical support at a time when they most need it.
"That's really helping us to be able to achieve what we want to do, which is be there for anyone that receives a diagnosis of cancer."