Local college staff unite behind marathon teaching colleague
A teacher at Birkenhead Sixth Form College completed an extraordinary sustained effort to raise funds for Maggie’s Wirral, running a total of 1,000 miles by jogging 10 miles a day for 100 consecutive days. The challenge brought in £3,281 including Gift Aid for the cancer support charity.
The fundraiser was led by Alan, who is Head of Art at the college. He chose the 100-day, 10-miles-a-day formula to symbolise the scale of cancer’s impact in England: the number echoed the statistic that around 1,000 people are diagnosed with cancer each day in the country.
- Challenge: 10 miles per day for 100 days
- Total distance: 1,000 miles
- Amount raised: £3,281 (including Gift Aid)
Staff support and community camaraderie
Fellow staff from across the college supported Alan on sections of the route. Several colleagues joined him periodically, running or walking alongside him, and a group were present to cheer him back to the college on his final day, which coincided with the end of term.
| Role | Colleague |
|---|---|
| Learning Support Assistant | Joe |
| Tutor | Jack |
| Head of Environmental Science | Mike |
| Sports teacher | Pat |
| Head of Sport | Nick |
| Head of Graphics | Liam |
| Head of Politics | Jane |
| Head of History | David |
Motivation, reflection and impact
Alan described the experience as both "surreal" and "deeply rewarding", reflecting on the routine of daily effort and the lesson the venture offered about persistence. He emphasised how consistent small actions can add to something substantial and praised the energy and encouragement he received from colleagues during the challenge.
"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."
He also underlined Maggie’s role locally, saying the charity offers "vital support" to people with cancer and their families across the community. For Wirral residents the funds will contribute to services that provide practical, emotional and social care for those affected by cancer.
The event demonstrates how local institutions such as Birkenhead Sixth Form College can mobilise staff and students to support health charities operating in the borough. It also highlights the wider civic value of workplace fundraising: it raises money and builds shared purpose and visibility around health services.
College staff and those supporting Maggie’s will now determine how the donation is applied within the charity’s Wirral services. In the meantime, the fundraiser leaves a local example of sustained personal commitment that others may look to when planning community fundraising for health causes.
