Man runs from Liverpool to Bath in aid of Ben Saunders Foundation
Man Runs From Liverpool To Bath
By Sammy Jenkins, a reporter for BBC News in the western region of England
Fin began his journey at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool on Wednesday.
A man is embarking on a challenging running journey to honor the memory of his friend who passed away from cancer.
Beginning the challenge on Wednesday at Liverpool's Anfield Stadium and making a pit stop at Bristol's Ashton Gate, Fin Coyle, a 23-year-old, will finish up at Twerton Park in Bath later in the day. He is raising funds for the Ben Saunders Foundation.
Established by Ben Saunders, an 18-year-old who passed away in 2020, the organization offers trips for young cancer patients at their accommodations located at Cotswold Water Park, situated on the border of Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.
Mr. Coyle expressed that the charity has made a positive impact on many individuals' lives and brought joy to them, particularly during difficult times.
Ben Saunders founded the charity just a few weeks before he passed away in August 2020.
Mr. Coyle met Ben when he was 16 years old at Bath City Academy. He described his friend as approachable, amiable, and talkative.
"We were practically side by side on the soccer field. He was in the center back position while I played left back. He always showed strong leadership qualities," he shared.
On the field, he showed a lot of grit, determination, and heart, despite not being the largest player.
When asked about his decision to tackle the "major challenge", Mr Coyle explained: "I decided to take on the challenge because Ben had a strong love for Liverpool and Bristol City, and we used to play together in Bath. It just felt like the right thing to do."
"Ben would likely think I'm out of my mind," he included.
Fin expressed his desire to tackle the "major challenge" of fundraising for his friend's charity.
Mr. Coyle mentioned that they faced several obstacles during the trip, particularly dealing with the high temperatures and trying to keep themselves well-hydrated.
He also mentioned that it has been difficult to find a secure way to travel, as many walking paths are covered with excessive vegetation.
"I've been jogging on trails and across meadows with cows and sheep," he shared.
Despite carefully planning his route in advance, Mr. Coyle has had to make some unexpected changes along the way. He has had to take detours and even push through dense bushes to continue on his journey, causing him to cover more kilometers than originally anticipated each day.
Even though there have been difficult moments, Mr. Coyle mentioned that the generous donations he has received, totaling more than £1,700, motivate him to continue.
"I notice the notifications popping up while I'm running, and it never fails to bring a smile to my face. It motivates me to keep going, especially when the sun is scorching hot," he mentioned.
Ben and Fin first met each other as kids while they were playing for Bath City.
In the end, Mr. Coyle emphasized that the focus should not be on him, but on the positive impact the foundation can make on young families and children.
"I'm focusing on the base and all the things Ben has left us," he said.
In 2023, the non-profit organization, which has collected more than £750,000 and supported over 350 families, received a Points of Light award from the former Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak.
