Francis Benali, the former legendary Southampton FC defender, is about to tackle his toughest match-up yet – running nearly 1000 miles in three weeks to raise £1million for charity.
Fran, 45, is running to all 20 Premier League stadiums averaging between 40 and 50 miles a day to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for Cancer Research UK – a charity very close to his heart.
‘Benali’s Big Run’, sponsored by telecommunications company 4Com, starts on Sunday 24 August at St James Park, home of Newcastle United and finishes at St Mary’s – home of the Saints on Saturday 13 September – the club he spent over 20 years of his career.
Fran is hoping to capture the hearts and minds of the British public just as Eddie Izzard and Davina McCall have done with similar running challenges. People can sponsor him by texting BIGR55 £3 to 70070 or donate at www.benalisbigrun.co.uk
Running to every Premier League stadium in the country consecutively has never been done before and having consulted fitness experts Fran has been told it can’t be done. Not to be put off, the ‘Running Saint’ is all the more determined to prove the experts wrong.
Fran said: “I’ve been told that ‘I’m mad’, ‘it can’t be done’, ‘don’t do it’ – but it’s made me even more determined to succeed. This challenge has been nagging away at the back of my head for years. It’s hugely demanding I agree, but that’s why I’m so motivated to do it.”
Fran added: “As well as a massive thanks to the sponsors 4Com, I have a brilliant support team who are preparing everything professionally to give ‘Benali’s Big Run’ every chance of success. They all believe in me. Now it’s my job to run it.
“Cancer Research UK is a fantastic charity and has made a difference to many thousands of families in the UK. I can’t thank them enough for their support as well as my sponsors 4Com who have also made this happen. I want to raise as much money as possible – it would be great to hit £1 million, but every pound counts. Thank you to everyone who has sponsored me so far.”
Benali, who has only one marathon under his belt 15 years ago, will join the elite group of ultra-runners if he achieves this feat.
Friend, ex Saint legend and Sky Sports pundit Matthew Le Tissier is giving Fran his full backing: “He’s obviously mad but knowing him well I’m sure he will accomplish his challenge. I’m hoping to join Fran on some of the route to support him – although there’s no way my knees could take 50 miles in one day – never alone for 21 days in a row!”
Show your support for Franny and donate what you can in aid of Cancer Research UK here: www.justgiving.com/BenalisBigRun/4w350m3/donate/#MessageAndAmount
Follow Fran’s progress on Facebook , Twitter (@benalisbigrun) and on www.benalisbigrun.co.uk
