Graham’s challenge was out of this world
THE widow of a man who inspired a rugby club to travel more than twice the way around the world in his memory has thanked them for their incredible efforts.
Anne Ellis said she was ‘overwhelmed’ to see Southport Rugby Football Club players and supporters run, cycle, swim and climb their way to completing over 80,000km during July - more than double the circumference of the planet.
Anne said: “It is completely overwhelming. It has been absolutely brilliant, it has exceeded all our expectations.
“I know Graham was held in very high regard at the club but it has been phenomenal to see so many people taking part for him.
“Graham spoke to me just before he died and said ‘they are doing this challenge as a club and they want to name it after me. I am really humbled’.
“He was very moved by it all, and he would have been so, so thrilled.
“Nobody thought would raise this much.”
Anne has been a Reception
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teacher at Birkdale Primary School for the past eight years.
She was previously a teacher at St Philips Primary School, Farnborough Road Junior School and Kingswood College (which is now Scarisbrick Hall School).
Anne said: “It has been such a lovely challenge because it has involved the whole club. There were little tots doing challenges while someone in their 80s covered over 100 miles. It was just fantastic.
“My family has been involved too. Our daughter Megan did the Three Peaks Challenge in Graham’s memory and said it nearly killed her!
“Jack initially did two peaks, and then went back and completed the third one.
“We have had family members in Australia and from all over taking part too.
“The Ellis Expedition was so well supported by so many people.
“It was lovely to see so many people turn up for the guard of honour for Graham’s funeral as well.
“Graham battled on for four years. They were tough times, but he wanted me to carry on.
“We were glad to have all the children around him in his last weeks.
“We only just managed to get Megan back from China just in time before the travel restrictions came in.”
The challenge culminated in a final fundraising walk by members of the club which ended at the Southport Rugby Football Club Clubhouse. A giant cheque with the final amount was ceremoniously handed over while Anne Ellis and Col Toohey as they each said a few words in front of a large number of supporters.
Club photographer Angus Matheson presented some large prints of photos he had taken of Graham over the years to take pride of place in the clubhouse.
Anne said: “Col Toohey said a few words on the pitch and then I said a few words as well. Graham would have been stoked by the support there.
“I would love to see if the money can go towards something specific that is needed at Southport Hospital or Ormskirk Hospital, that Graham can be remembered for. I would like to see if they have some kind of wishlist.
“Graham was a diabetic so I wonder whether there is something that could be funded along those lines.”