James, 10, raises £1.3k in US race
TEN- Y E A R- O L D James Hayes, from Birkdale, raised £1,350 for The Marina Dalglish Appeal after taking part in the Firefly run in New Jersey, USA.
However, events didn’t go as smoothly as expected when the family flew out on the day of the 5k run – their flight was delayed by four hours and their bags did not arrive, meaning they got to the race with only 15 minutes to spare.
James managed to complete the run alongside his parents in his tracksuit bottoms and boots.
The Year 5 pupil at Scarisbrick Hall School decided to do the run because he wanted to do something unusual to raise money for the charity, after hearing his former tutor at his previous school, Merchant Taylors’ Boys, had breast cancer.
He started fundraising in February and managed to raise £350 through his JustGiving page and £1,000 from his sponsorship forms. Those who sponsored James included All Saints Church, on Rawlinson Road, Southport, and Southport Rugby club, where he plays for the under tens.
The Marina Dalglish Appeal is a local charity set up by the Dalglish family in 2005 “to do something to help” after Marina (wife of former Liverpool player and manager Kenny Dalglish) was successfully treated for breast cancer in 2003.
James’ dad Tim Hayes, 49, said: “He was very fond of his form tutor; she was a lovely teacher. He decided to do it as it was a bit of an unusual challenge and would get people talking. We had looked at running up the stairs at the Empire State Building but couldn’t do it as the official entry for the annual race had passed. It’s something he may do as a future fundraiser.
“He’s also walked eight miles across the shifting sands of Morecambe Bay with Cedric ‘The Queen’s guide’ – for Galloways blind charity; he’s got a kind heart and a spirit of adventure!”
Tim added: “James has followed Kenny Dalglish a few times in the bread aisle at Waitrose, after I’ve pointed him out, but obviously he doesn’t really know who he is!”