366 DAY FUND RAISING FOOTBALL CHALLENGE Iain Ferguson. Fort William Juniors football coach Ollie Stephen combined his enthusiasm for the team with his regular keep fit and stress relieving runs in a challenge to raise funds for the youngsters. Rain or shine, hot or cold, Ollie pledged to run at least 5kms a day, every day, for 366 days - 2020 being a Leap year - coupled with push-ups, pullups, sit-ups and crunches to help raise funds to run the club which as a result of geography means costly travelling to compete alongside all the usual expenses which have to be met. He said: ‘Lots of people give up their time for free to help run the club and train the boys at all levels. The work that goes on running the club and
making sure we are compliant three storms and some serious is massive. As well as that, the leg pain and shin splints and club always faces financial am on track to make 2,600kms challenges with two months being so far to go,’ said Ollie. geographically ‘I haven’t really Lots of people give up their away from the pushed the time for free to help run the donations side other teams club and train the boys at all of things, but we play. Kit for the boys to want to try and levels. The work that goes train and play raise as much on in running the club and in, along with making sure we are compliant as possible as other training it’s an incredibly is massive. equipment and worthy cause. I charges for hire have a Go Fund of pitches such Me page - 2020 as Lochaber High Astro can challenge-for-fort-williamreally add up.’ youth-footballers - but would also happily take any donations Starting at the beginning at the Claggan Park clubhouse.’ of the year, Ollie is now approaching his target of Although he has never 2,400kms, although a few foundered in his challenge, Ollie months ago he had to give has often been joined on his up the ‘extras’ after injuring his runs by son Jack, who also plays wrist, but carried on running for the juniors and daughter without a pause. Lucy, sometimes cycling alongside him to give words of ‘I’ve run through lockdown, encouragement when needed.
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