A record breaking runner who has raised over £42,000 after running 107 miles between all 69 Merseyrail train stations says he is in “shock and disbelief” after completing his incredible challenge.
Alex Rigby started his gruelling mission at Chester Train Station at 3pm on Friday afternoon (28th February 2025).
He arrived in Southport on Saturday morning, heading past Birkdale, Hillside, Ainsdale and Formby on his way to the final destination, Hunts Cross Train Station, where he hit the buffers on Saturday evening to a huge celebration.
Alex, who won the Sefton Charity Champion Award at last year’s Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards, completed the incredible challenge in 27 hours.
A small army of supporters either ran alongside or cheered Alex on at all 69 stations, including Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram.
So far Alex, who hails from Bootle and is a keen cricketer at Ainsdale Cricket Club in Southport, has raised over £42,000 thanks to over 1,000 generous donors for the Centre 56 domestic abuse charity in Liverpool, and is keen to raise more if he can:
You can donate via Alex Rugby’s fundraising page here.
The donations will help families in Liverpool who are recovering from experiences of domestic abuse or crisis situations.
The funding will provide:
Specialist childcare for those aged 2-12
Coffee mornings for parents and carers
Fun day trips for the children
Access to free clothes, food, toiletries and period products for families in need through the Centre 56 Rainbow Room
Alex Rigby said:
“How do I try and put into words the whirlwind that has been this challenge?
“I am still a bit overwhelmed, in a state of shock and disbelief over what happened this weekend, I truly cannot put into words how grateful I am to every single who supported me in their own way over the past eight months, runners, walkers, bucket shakers, social media sharers, supporters the list goes on, every single person played their part in making this challenge a huge success.
“The support and togetherness has been something I’ve never seen before, strangers making conversations with people they have never met before and realising they have mutual connections and even rekindling lost friendships from years gone by.
“Young children getting involved running as far as they ever have done, fundraising, creating banners and posters as well as running super fast and leading the way, it was all very heartwarming.
“This event really did have everything!
“And when I say it had everything it definitely had every emotion too, from happy to sad and everything in between but the toughest part that sticks in mind was in the dark at 3:30am
heading to Kirkby in temperatures of minus 2 degrees. It was mentally and physically exhausting but with the support of the relay representatives and the graveyard shift crew we got through it and it wasn’t long before the sun was coming up! ‘Light at the end of the tunnel’.
“But it wouldn’t be possible without so many genuinely spectacular people,
Corinne McGinty has been an absolute diamond to work with over the past 18 months and she has pulled it out the bag making this as incredible as it’s been, so much goes on behind the scenes and she is mainly responsible for it going so well.
“Jack Conlan, year after year this man is always there with me on foot, bike or van and has my back every mile of the way keeping everyone updated of my whereabouts so they can come and offer support.
“Ian Magill my amazing running coach who has made me the runner I am, without this man I wouldn’t have been able to do such challenges year after year to raise funds, but he’s also the reason I was there so early otherwise I would have been finishing a lot later that evening!
“Michael Burns what can I say, this man! For months Micky has trained hard with me but he never left my side for the entire duration of the run, keeping me fuelled, warm and comfortable. Without this man, this challenge would have be a hell of alot more difficult and for that I am extremely grateful.
“Allan Gibbs-Monaghan without you this whole event would not have been possible and instead just a fun idea, you have given myself and Centre 56 a once in a lifetime opportunity to create history, so thank you.
“To my unbelievable family, thank you for always supporting me and always being there for me, I truly am lucky to have so many amazing people around me and I am lucky I get to share all these experiences with you all!
“To all of the amazing businesses, relay representatives, you were all outstanding and have done an incredible job raising funds and running some big miles. I am proud to be associated with you all and I am looking to catch up with you all soon!
“And finally everybody who helped in their own unique way, it means the world to me, I love you all from bottom of my heart, to give up your Friday afternoons, evenings and weekends to come out and support me and Centre 56 it means so much and this will last with me for a lifetime.
“We all did this together, we fundraised together and we achieved this TOGETHER!”
John Thompson from Ainsdale Cricket Club said:
“At Ainsdale CC we call him ‘The Bootle Bob Geldoff’ in recognition of all he does for others.
“We as a club are all incredibly proud of him and delighted to have given him a tiny bit of support along the way.”
Paula Graves, Children’s support manager at Centre 56 said:
“Alex is not just the fundraising officer at Centre 56 he also gets involved in all aspects of what we do at the Centre.
“He will be delighted with the funds raised but I know he will be more pleased with the awareness he has raised for families suffering from domestic abuse. He would want them to know that they are not alone and if they reach out there is help and support out there to help them rebuild their lives.
“We are so proud of his achievement and all those involved in supporting him.”
Robin Baynes MBE said:
“Alex is an unbelievable hero touching the hearts and souls of the community.”
In February 2024, Alex completed a 56-mile running challenge on Merseyrail’s Northern Line which saw him raise £30,000 for Centre 56.
In April last year, Alex was crowned Sefton Charity Champion Of The Year, sponsored by Communications Plus, at the 2024 Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards.
As one of Merseyrail’s four chosen charities for the year, the team are delighted to have Merseyrail backing the challenge.
Merseyrail’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Greg Suligowski said:
“We are really pleased to welcome Alex back to the Merseyrail network for his biggest and toughest challenge yet.”
Centre 56 has been a place of safety and hope for families in Kirkdale for more than 50 years. The charity provides specialist nursery care for children aged 2-12 years who have experienced domestic abuse or crisis situations.
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