Marathon weekend for ex-Tranmere player
Alex Hay is taking on the Wirral Marathon and London Marathon
While some people are doing a marathon this weekend, a former Tranmere Rovers footballer is doing two!
Alex Hay is doing today's Wirral Marathon and tomorrow's London Marathon to raise money for the Clatterbridge Cancer Charity.
The aim is to finish the Wirral Marathon at around 1:30pm outside Prenton Park, ahead of Tranmere Rovers' final home game of the season against AFC Wimbledon.
Alex said:
"My dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer just just under a year ago, it's close to the very time actually and obviously that's sort of hit us hard as a family.
"I'm trying to deal with that and I just thought you know what, let's give give myself something to focus on and challenge myself a bit more than the one marathon and it gets people's attention a little bit more, because I know people struggle to sponsor people because it's a lot of money and there's so many amazing charities around.
"I just thought this might grab people's attention just a little bit more.
"Since I've announced it, I've had so many people come up to me and say, oh, my family member's being treated there or was treated there and it means a lot to the whole area.
"I want to give back"
"That's the big thing for me. I want to give back. I was lucky enough to play for Tranmere, which meant the world to me, and I just think it's important for people to give back to their communities and this is my way of doing that.
"Obviously with my dad, it's difficult because he lives up in Newcastle and so he's not being treated at Clatterbridge, but I recognise how many people have to go to Clatterbridge in the area we all live in and I think people don't understand that the amount of people that have to go there for whatever reason and and hopefully this money goes to support and all families when it's needed most.
Ahead of the first marathon getting underway, Alex has raised more than £5,500.
Alex added:
"I think we probably raised about £1000 in the last few days. So it's gone really boom and it's just word of mouth to be honest. I didn't want to put pressure on myself by getting lots of sponsorship 'cause I understand it's hardship for everyone, the cost of living is unbelievable.
"So I understand it and what I've said to people is just even £1 makes a difference. If you want to buy me a pint, the cost of a pint is great and people have and it's just been building and building and it means the world to me.
"It makes me feel a little bit emotional, to be honest. I've been feeling really emotional with it because I'm feeling the pressure of everyone a little bit, which is a good thing because I know it's gonna help me through it and I know everyone's behind me so it does make a huge difference."