Running for Junior Footballers

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 fi t 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 fi nancial am on track to make 2,600kms challenges with two months being so far to go,’ said Ollie. geographically away from the Lots of people give up their ‘I haven’t really pushed the other teams time for free to help run the donations side we play. Kit for club and train the boys at all of things, but the boys to levels. The work that goes want to try and train and play on in running the club and raise as much in, along with other training equipment and making sure we are compliant is massive. as possible as it’s an incredibly 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

Starting at the beginning also happily take any donations of the year, Ollie is now at the Claggan Park clubhouse.’ 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

‘I’ve run through lockdown, alongside him to give words of encouragement when needed.