Project 26:26

Marathon #26 - london

Tom, we did it. 💚

Wow! What a day. I’m devastated that our Tom wasn’t there at the finish line with me, he’s been my motivation throughout, but I know how proud he would be of what we achieved together as part of this challenge.

It’s also a huge comfort to know how much of a difference the money raised will make for others going through their own cancer journey at a time when they need that support the most. Thank you!

Remembering Tom

Hi, it’s with deepest sadness that I write this message. Tom put up an amazing fight over the last 18 months since being diagnosed with cancer. On Thursday 21 March he lost his battle. He was with his family, very relaxed and peaceful.

Tom was so stoic in his diagnosis and made the most of every day. He got to get his dream trip to New York, saw Liverpool FC’s new training ground and was invited to multiple games at Anfield to see his favourite team.

He has been Project 26:26's biggest supporter. Always my motivation and will be. He always wanted to share the message of Macmillan Cancer Support and what they do for all cancer patients. He helped organise sponsorship, meetings and loved being involved in every single part of the challenge.

He became a TV star over last 6 months featuring on TNT Sport with Crouchy and Jags before the Everton v Liverpool derby. This was to promote awareness of the challenge.

I will be completing the challenge for Tom as I know this is what he will want me too. He will be greatly missed.

Follow and donate

project 26:26 funds two macmillan nurses

I’ve been blown away by all the support received. From every pound donated to each message of encouragement, it’s all helping to keep me going and my legs moving.

I want to push this challenge even further and have decided to double the target to £64,500.

This amount would be enough money to fund two Macmillan specialist nurses for the duration of the Project 26:26 challenge. It is a small way of saying thank you to the Macmillan teams who do such amazing and important work in helping people throughout their cancer journey. I’ve seen this first hand with the support they’ve shown Tom and I know what a difference the money we raise will make.

Thank you again to everyone for all the support and donations so far.

About Project 26:26

26 marathons in 26 weeks

Hello! My name is Jack and I’ve set myself the challenge of running 26 marathons in 26 weeks to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

In 2022, my older brother, Tom, 36, was diagnosed with bowel cancer. The care Tom has received during his treatment has been something the whole family has been grateful for during such a challenging and difficult time.

I’m taking on ‘Project 26:26’, the equivalent distance of running from Liverpool to Berlin, to thank the Macmillan teams who have been there for Tom and other families like mine.

If you’d like to run a mile or more with me along the way, then get in touch. I’d love that.

jack chats to Royal blue podcast about project 26:26

It was great to speak with Liverpool Echo’s Everton reporter, Joe Thomas about the challenge, my increased target and how Project 26:26 is doing more than just raising funds.

a marathon of marathons

The 26 marathons will be squeezed in around a busy schedule. Last year, my wife Lauren and I became parents for the first time. Professionally, I spend my day at Everton Football Club’s training facilities as first-team performance coach and weekends in the dugout.

Alongside the day job and juggling family life, I also support amateur athletes involved with Crosby-based Alive Fitness community running club, many of whom have gone on to compete in their first marathon in the last year.

Project 26:26 began on the same weekend as the Merseyside derby. A weekend that is typically one of intense rivalry in our household, with me being a boyhood Blue and Tom a staunch Red. But on this occasion that didn’t really matter, we united as we began Project 26:26. I am aiming to finish this gruelling challenge 26 weeks later at the London Marathon in April 2024.

what this means

I’m being supported by Nicole McIlveen, Macmillan’s Relationship Fundraising Manager for Merseyside, who is a member of Alive Running Club in Crosby, which I coach and support.

“We wish Jack the best of luck for his incredible challenge, which will help us support other families affected by cancer,” says Nicole.

“Macmillan is almost entirely funded through donations from our supporters, and we can only be there for people thanks to the fantastic efforts of fundraisers like Jack.

“Cancer is not going anywhere, and Macmillan is needed now more than ever. Whether it’s creating new services, adapting old ones or speaking up on their behalf, we are working tirelessly to ensure people with cancer get the vital support they need right now. “The money raised from Jack’s marathon of marathons will help us to do that.”