Steve Rotheram joined Alex Rigby’s charity run across Merseyside to support Centre 56, a domestic abuse charity.
Alex is running 107 miles across Merseyside. The run began in Chester, and he will visit all Merseyrail stations, including Ellesmere Port and West Kirby. He also plans to run to New Brighton, Headbolt Lane, Ormskirk, Southport, before finishing at Hunts Cross.
Alex, age 33, is Centre 56’s Fundraising Officer. He will run to 69 stations in total, expecting the run to take around 27 hours. He spoke about his run last month and is happy that the weather forecast looks good.
Yesterday, the challenge started on February 28. Steve joined Alex between Blundellsands and Crosby to Waterloo. Alex has fundraised for a long time, starting as a hobby which is now his job.
Alex said he enjoyed fundraising, initially doing it for his cricket clubs. He also raised money while working in the prison service, where he met many supportive people.
Raising awareness about domestic abuse is vital to Alex, who worked at Walton Prison for five years and saw its effects. Many don’t realize they suffer from domestic abuse or that they are in controlling relationships, thinking it’s normal.
Centre 56 offers nursery care for kids aged two to twelve who faced domestic abuse or crises. Merseyrail supports Centre 56 as one of their four chosen charities this year, with posters displaying donation QR codes on Merseyrail.