Latest news with #Centre56
BBC News
03-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Bootle man finishes 28-hour run for Liverpool domestic abuse charity
A charity worker who spent 28 hours running around the Merseyrail network has described his adventure as the "proudest moment" of his complete his 109-mile challenge, Alex Rigby even had to walk through a tunnel under the River Mersey which links Liverpool and Wirral."The support from people is what makes it so special," he has raised more than £40,000 for domestic abuse charity Centre 56. His latest challenge followed one he completed last year when ran to all 36 stations on the Merseyrail Northern line in 12 hours, raising £20, 33-year-old, from Bootle, said he wanted to support the "amazing work" done by the Centre 56 setting off from Chester at 15:00 GMT on Friday. Alex did not stop until he reached his final destination, Hunts Cross in south Liverpool, at 19:00 the next ran through Wirral on Friday afternoon before donning high-visibility safety gear to walk through the Mersey railway tunnel at 01:00 GMT when no trains were making it to Liverpool city centre, he continued to run through the night in freezing temperatures to Kirkby and then on to Ormskirk in then continued across to Southport before running back to route also passed by the Centre 56 nursery in described this part of his run as "very emotional" because staff and children gathered with balloons and placards to cheer him on.A crowd also gathered at Hunts Cross to celebrate his final stop."When you see people supporting you, you get very emotional," he said. "You don't want to let them down."It was just unbelievable, it was the proudest day of my life!" Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram, and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Runner's 28-hour railway challenge on track to raise more than £40,000
A charity worker who ran more than 100 miles to every station on a train network has raised more than £40,000. Alex Rigby completed 109 miles around the Merseyrail network in 28 hours – even travelling on foot through the tunnel underneath the River Mersey which links Liverpool and Wirral. He said: 'Completing the challenge was definitely the proudest moment of my life. 'The support from people is what makes it so special. 'I have a couple of blisters and a few aches and pains, but it's all been worth it.' The 33-year-old, a fundraising officer for domestic abuse charity Centre 56, set off from Chester at 3pm on Friday and reached his final destination, Hunts Cross in south Liverpool, at 7pm the following day. He ran through Wirral on Friday afternoon before donning high-visibility safety gear over his running clothes to walk through the Mersey railway tunnel at 1am – when no trains were running. After making it to Liverpool city centre, he ran in freezing temperatures through the early hours of Saturday morning to Kirkby, in Knowsley, and then on to Ormskirk in Lancashire. He continued across to Southport before making his way back to Liverpool – where he was greeted with cheers by supporters who spent the day fundraising at the city's central station. His route also included a stop at the Centre 56 nursery in Kirkdale, which supports families who have experienced domestic abuse, where staff and children gathered with balloons and placards to cheer him on. A crowd gathered at Hunts Cross to celebrate his final stop, with a buffet and drinks provided at The Waiting Room pub. Running the Railways Update❗ 📣📣AND HE'S DONE IT! Alex crosses the finish line at Hunts Cross station completing 107 miles, travelling to every Merseyrail Station. 🎊🎊 Our Massive Congratulations to Alex, you're an inspiration! 🤩🫶@Centre_56 — Merseyrail (@merseyrail) March 1, 2025 He said: 'The two hardest parts were running from Aintree to Kirkby when it was minus two degrees, that was really difficult, and also at 80 miles when I knew I still had a marathon to go. 'I never had any doubts that I'd finish it, I just thought I was going to be in agony.' Along his journey, Mr Rigby, from Bootle, Merseyside, was joined by hundreds of supporters, including representatives from more than 50 businesses and organisations who ran in relay. They included Liverpool City Region metro mayor Steve Rotheram, who joined Mr Rigby from Crosby to Waterloo, and Merseyrail managing director Neil Grabham. Fellow members of Liverpool Running Club, which Mr Rigby has been part of for 10 years, were also with him throughout, including Michael Burns, who travelled alongside him on a bike for the entire route. Mr Rigby had aimed to raise £35,000 to support the charity but now hopes he might reach up to £50,000 once all donations are collected. To find out more, go to
