Carl’s marathon success for the Skem Men-Aces
UNSTOPPABLE football coach Carl Eaton has raised hundreds of pounds for his football club – by completing the Manchester Marathon in a standard wheelchair.
The money will go towards an activity holiday for members of the Skem Men-Aces Football Club in Skelmersdale, which was set up for adults with a learning disability.
Carl, who was joined on his challenge on Sunday (April 2) by his wife, Mim, was born with spina bifida, but has never let the condition become an obstacle to achieving his goals.
An exhausted Carl, speaking after completing his 26.2-mile effort, said: “I truly cannot believe that today and with my missus that I did the Greater Manchester Marathon 26.2 miles.
“I’ve never been so physically and mentally exhausted in my life and that was the most demanding thing on my body that I’ve ever done.”
Carl, who has previously won both the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Groups and a BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, started well but a few miles in was finding the going very tough.
He said: “Between nine and 13 miles I had decided to call it a day but with huge encouragement from a fabulous crowd, Mim and the Skem Men-Aces, I managed snatch away at each mile.
“The hills were absolutely ridiculous at times and so soul-destroying.
“My wife, Mim, and I cried buckets as we crossed the finish line to rapturous applause, it was so emotional.
“The people of Manchester were magnificent. They really kept us going with Jelly Beans to and encouragement.
“I’ll take my hat off to anyone that is thinking of doing a marathon and shake their hands from now on.
“Unbelievably, I am closer to my target of £10,000 and that has made it so worth it.
“I am in incredible pain but think a couple of pints in the Plough and Harrow pub in Skelmersdale will sort me out!
“One thing that I am so proud of is that I was the only man who took on the marathon in a standard wheelchair.
“I will leave the Go Fund Me page open for a couple of weeks if anyone wants to make a donation.”
Carl Eaton set up the Skem Men-Aces Football Club in 2009 specifically for adults with a learning disability.
Since then the team has grown from five players “using jumpers as goalposts” to a club that is now more than 50 strong and won a Silver Medal at the 2013 Special Olympics.
To donate to Carl’s appeal, visit: www.eatonupthe miles. org