A member of Everton’s backroom team has vowed to run 26 marathons in 26 weeks to fundraise after his older brother, a Liverpool fan, was diagnosed with cancer.
Evertonian and Blues First Team Physical Performance coach Jack Dowling, 30, has set himself the gruelling challenge following sibling Tom’s bowel cancer diagnosis last year, with funds going to Macmillan Cancer Support Charity.
Tom has received vital care from Macmillan during his treatment, including support from specialist nurses.
And Jack, from Crosby, will now tackle the ‘Project 26:26’ challenge – the equivalent of running from Liverpool to Berlin – to thank the Macmillan teams who have been there for his brother and other families in similar situations.
Jack, who grew up a staunch Evertonian despite his older brother’s Liverpool allegiance, has also set himself the ambitious target of raising £32,250; an amount that would fund a Macmillan nurse for six months.
His campaign will begin at Merchant Taylors’ School, Crosby, on Sunday 22 October and end 26 weeks later, at April’s London Marathon.
All 26 marathons will be squeezed in around a busy schedule, with Jack celebrating becoming a father for the first time last year and juggling fatherhood with his daily duties at Everton, under manager Sean Dyche.
Jack also supports amateur athletes involved with Crosby-based Alive Fitness community running club, many of whom, in the last 12 months, have gone on to compete in their first marathon.
Commenting on the challenge, Jack said: “In 2022, Tom was diagnosed with cancer, and we will continue to be supported by Macmillan Cancer Support teams throughout his treatment. I want to give back in the best way I know how – running!”
Jack, whose fundraising total already sits at nearly £4,500 – achieved within the first week of launching his online giving page – has received a groundswell of support from within Finch Farm and wider messages of encouragement, including from Merseyside sporting royalty Tony Bellew and the nation’s favourite PE teacher and fellow fundraiser, Joe Wicks.
Jack added: “The response has been really moving. It’s given me a real boost and made me more determined to raise as much money as I can to say thank you.
“It’s going to be a difficult thing to do, mainly in terms of juggling the marathon schedule and recovery around family, work and other commitments.
“But I have seen, first-hand, the difference that Macmillan and other support teams, particularly at the specialist centres where Tom’s been treated, are making day in and day out.
“This is what has inspired me to take on this challenge and to give a little something back.”
Nicole McIlveen, Macmillan’s Relationship Fundraising Manager for Merseyside, who is also a member of Alive Running Club in Crosby, added: “We wish Jack the best of luck for his incredible challenge, which will help us support other families affected by cancer.
“Macmillan is almost entirely funded through donations from our supporters, and we can only be there for people thanks to the fantastic efforts of fundraisers like Jack.
“Cancer is not going anywhere, and Macmillan is needed now more than ever.
“Whether it’s creating new services, adapting old ones or speaking up on their behalf, we are working tirelessly to ensure people with cancer get the vital support they need right now.
“The money raised from Jack’s marathon of marathons will help us to do that.”
Jack’s fundraising page is available via JustGiving or you can follow his progress on Instagram via @jdphysicalprep or online at project2626.info.