4 September 2006

On the 29th September, five committed football fans will embark on a marathon charity fundraiser. They plan to drive non-stop from John O’Groats to Lands End visiting 88 football clubs from 22 different leagues along the way. Four of the five are Vice-Presidents of Ryman Premier League Team Harrow Borough (Keith Loddy, Nigel Blake, Nick Ringham & Brian Bigwood) and the other Anthony Burles follows Conference South side Hayes. Their aim is to raise as much money as possible via individual sponsorship for two very worthy causes; Macmillan Cancer Support and Harrow Borough Football Club. They are also being helped by several national and local companies such as Avis Rent a Car, 3663, Fans Direct, Nu-Aire and McArdles.

The five will leave John O’Groats on the morning of the 29th, calling firstly at Harmsworth Park, home of Wick Academy of the Highland League. After calling in at a further 26 teams in Scotland, they will visit 61 non-league teams in England. Starting with Penrith FC in Cumbria and hopefully by Sunday night or Monday morning, make their last stop before Lands End at Penlee Park home of Penzance AFC of the South Western League.

Brian Bigwood said “Three years ago we raised over £7,500 for our favourite causes visiting another 88 clubs spread all over England and Wales. We felt it was about time we did something again for Macmillan Cancer Support as they do such wonderful work all the way from John O’Groats to Lands End

“The challenge is going to be tough, as we will be covering over 1,250 miles in less than 88 hours. We don’t stop apart for petrol and at each ground to take a photograph as evidence. Finding the football grounds will be our greatest difficulty because we decided not to visit anywhere we stopped at three years ago. So we have had to pick teams lower down the non-league pyramid, which are consequentially smaller and more difficult to locate.” You will be able to follow their progress as it happens via the Harrow Borough website: www.harrowboro.co.uk

To get more information, to help or sponsor the team, please call Brian on 0208 574 1865 or email brian.bigwood@virgin.net