Trolled Norwich City fan raises £60k in half-marathon

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Nathan West with his medalImage source, Macmillan Cancer Support
Image caption,

Tonbridge was Nathan West's first half marathon

A football fan who found global support after being trolled online has completed a half-marathon - and raised £60,000.

Norwich City fan Nathan West, 31, was mocked online for a video interview ahead of the Canaries' Millwall clash.

He planned to raise £500 for Macmillian Cancer Support but donations from around the world flooded in from people defending him against online trolls.

Mr West, of Earsham, Norfolk, completed the Tonbridge Half-Marathon on Sunday.

Finishing in one hour, 46 minutes and 14 seconds, he said it was "an amazing challenge".

He said the hilly route was difficult but he was "very pleased" with his time.

Image source, West family
Image caption,

Nathan West says the "football community has come together for a great cause" after his video interview

Previously the Canaries fan had completed a 10k run and saw the half-marathon as "the next step".

The former Bungay High School pupil wanted to raise money for Macmillan having lost his grandparents to cancer.

In August, the football fan was mocked after a video interview on Sunday with sports outlet The Pink 'Un, external.

Following the interview, Mr West was targeted by unpleasant comments from strangers online.

Image source, Macmillan Cancer Support
Image caption,

Nathan West said he was pleased with his time for his first half-marathon

Supporters from across the world then came to Mr West's defence, including Norwich City winger Jonathan Rowe who said in his post:, external "Big up yourself for doing this interview Westy!"

The donations for the 31-year-old's fundraiser started to pour in after BBC Radio Norfolk's fanzine show The Scrimmage co-host Chris Reeve shared a message online from Mr West.

The runner asked the journalist to make a charity donation rather than buy him beers for his correct prediction.

Mr West said that now the half-marathon was completed, he was looking forward to "having a few cold beers and a burger" as a reward.

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