Teacher at Birkenhead Sixth Form College crosses the finish line after inspiring 1,000 mile challenge for Maggie's Wirral

15 July 2026

Alan, Head of Art at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, has successfully completed his remarkable 1,000 mile fundraising challenge in support of Maggie's Wirral, raising an incredible £3,281 for the charity.

Over the course of 100 consecutive days, Alan ran 10 miles every single day, with each mile representing one of the approximately 1,000 people diagnosed with cancer every day in England. Inspired by this powerful statistic, Alan set out to raise both awareness and vital funds for Maggie's Wirral, which provides practical and emotional support for people living with cancer, as well as their families and friends.

The challenge came to an emotional conclusion on the final day of term, as Alan completed the final leg of his journey by running back to the College. He was met by colleagues cheering him across the finish line and celebrating an achievement that inspired the entire College community.

Throughout the challenge, Alan was joined by colleagues who ran and walked alongside him in a fantastic show of support. Learning Support Assistant Joe and Tutor Jack completed 10 miles with Alan every week, demonstrating an incredible commitment throughout the challenge. Alan was also accompanied at various stages by Head of Environmental Science Mike, Teacher of Sport Pat, Head of Sport Nick, Head of Graphics Liam, Head of Politics Jane, Head of History David, along with many other colleagues who took part to support both Alan and Maggie's Wirral.

The challenge captured the spirit of the College community, with staff coming together to encourage Alan every step of the way while helping to raise awareness of the important work carried out by Maggie's Wirral.

Alan's achievement is a testament to his determination, resilience and generosity. Completing 1,000 miles in 100 days is an extraordinary feat in itself, but doing so to support such a meaningful cause has made an even greater impact.

Everyone at Birkenhead Sixth Form College is incredibly proud of Alan and what he has achieved. His commitment to raising awareness and supporting people affected by cancer has inspired colleagues, students and the wider community throughout the past 100 days.

Speaking about completing the challenge, Alan said: "It feels both surreal and deeply rewarding. When you're in the middle of a challenge like this, you focus so much on the daily routine – getting up, putting the miles in, recovering, and repeating – that you almost forget how big the overall goal really is. Crossing the finish line and realising I'd actually run 1,000 miles in 100 days brought a huge sense of pride, relief and gratitude.

This journey has taught me the value of consistency and the power of small, repeated actions. Ten miles a day doesn't sound dramatic on its own, but doing it every single day – through good weather, bad weather, busy days and tired days – shows how much you can achieve when you commit fully and keep showing up.

There were so many memorable moments: conversations with people who joined me, messages of support, people sharing their personal accounts of dealing with cancer, and the sense of community that built around the challenge. At times, the challenge felt like a solitary activity, so having colleagues join – especially Joe and Jack – brought energy, encouragement and a real sense of camaraderie. It reminded me how powerful it is when people come together behind a positive cause, and it reinforced that this challenge wasn't just mine; it was ours and something that the whole College contributed to and celebrated.

Maggie's Wirral provides vital support to people living with cancer and to their families, and the impact of their work is felt across our community. Choosing to support them was a way of recognising the strength of those who face far tougher challenges than a daily run, and to help ensure Maggie's can continue offering the care and comfort people rely on.

Raising more than £3,200, including Gift Aid, means a huge amount. It reflects generosity, solidarity and the willingness of people to get behind a cause that truly matters. Knowing that every mile contributed to something bigger than myself has been one of the most motivating and meaningful parts of the entire challenge."

Congratulations, Alan, and thank you for your determination, resilience and unwavering commitment to such an important cause. Your challenge has made a real difference, and your dedication has brought the College community together in support of a cause that touches so many lives.