A WOMAN from Wirral has completed 10 half marathons in 10 days in memory of five-year-old Nate Gidman who died from brain cancer.
Tranmere Rovers fan Jennifer Roberts, 30, originally from Bromborough decided to set herself the running challenge after hearing the devastating news of Nate’s passing.
After a long battle with Medulloblastoma, a cancerous brain tumour found in children, five-year-old Nate tragically died on Monday, February 7, 2022.
Nate’s situation came to light for Tranmere supporters after Phil, Nate’s dad also a Tranmere fan, started sharing updates about their struggle on Twitter.
Fans quickly rallied around and started a crowdfunding page which raised thousands for the family.
READ: Tranmere pay tribute to five-year-old fan who captured the hearts of the Super White Army
Jennifer told the Globe: “I was aware of who Phil was through the club and when I saw the story of Nate I was really moved by it.
“I’m also a massive Tranmere fan and thought I’d try and do something to help as no one should go through the pain and heartache that they went through.”
Jennifer began the running challenge on Friday, May 6, and completed her final run on Friday, May 15.
She said: “I’m not a natural runner it’s just something I’ve picked up over the last year so it was really tough but we got it done.
“There were moments when I thought ‘oh god what have I done?’ because I was in a lot of pain after my knees went during my fourth run.
“The mental aspect was also really hard.”
While she was completing her runs, Jennifer kept her Twitter account up to date with her latest accomplishments which were met by words of support from Tranmere fans.
She said: “The reaction I received on Twitter was phenomenal.
“Before I was about to complete my tenth run, I asked on Twitter if anyone wanted to join me and five people turned up who I had never met all in their Tranmere Rovers shirts.”
For her last run, Jennifer decided she would complete the challenge at Prenton Park.
She said: “It’s five and a half miles there and I knew there was a billboard up of Nate so I thought it would be nice to take it back to where it all began. It really helped to spur me on.”
When she began the challenge, Jennifer said she hoped to raise £100 for The Brain Tumour Charity but has since managed to raise £5,000.
She said: “I didn’t expect to get such a response everyone has been amazing supporting the cause and getting the word out there.”
To donate click here.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here