Runner's Merseyrail challenge tops £20k for charity

Alex Rigby, 32, said he wanted to raise awareness of the services Centre 56 offer

A runner who visited all 36 stations on a railway line in a 12-hour challenge has raised over £20,000 for a domestic abuse charity.

Alex Rigby completed the 56-mile (90km) route on Merseyrail's northern line in aid of Centre 56 in Kirkdale.

The 32-year-old, from Bootle, said he was motivated to take on the challenge by the "amazing work" the charity does for local children and families.

He said the money would go towards running the charity's nursery service.

Centre 56 runs a nursery for children who have been affected by domestic abuse as well as a food pantry and after-school club.

Mr Rigby set off from Hunts Cross station in Liverpool at 06:00 GMT on Saturday and ran to each of the 36 stops on Merseyrail's northern line before ending his day at Kirkdale station, near the base for charity Centre 56, at about 18:00.

The route saw the 32-year-old run to Southport and across to Ormskirk, in west Lancashire, before heading to the network's newest station, Headbolt Lane in Kirkby and back into Liverpool for a finish at Kirkdale.

Mr Rigby was joined by members of his running club along the way

He was joined along the way by business representatives who took on a relay, passing a baton to each other at stations, as well as fellow members of Liverpool Running Club and runners from other groups, including Marsh Lane Harriers.

He also had friends on bikes carrying supplies to keep him fed and watered during the day.

"I was motivated to take on the challenge because of the amazing work people do there," Mr Rigby said.

Adding by raising awareness of the charity he hoped it would create a "spiral effect" where people would tell their friends and family about the help on offer.

"We want to help as many people as we can," he said.

He said the money would be used to cover nursery fees and on days out for children and families affected by domestic abuse.