Bideford AFC defender, Alex Byrne, has never been one to shirk a challenge, be that on or off the pitch.
So, when his dad was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, he decided to set about raising funds for the Parkinson’s UK Charity, who have worked tirelessly for many years to provide life-changing support services for sufferers and their families, as well as funding research into ground-breaking new treatments and campaigning for better health and care in a bid to improve lives of those with the disease and their loved ones.
“As a family we’ve had tremendous help and support from the Parkinson’s UK Charity since dad got his diagnosis,” Alex told us. “They do fantastic work and we desperately want to help with the fund-raising effort, so dad and I decided that we’d run the 2025 London Marathon on behalf of the charity.
“Now I wouldn’t consider myself a runner – and probably those who have seen me play would agree! Other than football, I’ve never run further than 10k, so to complete the 42.1k, or 26.2 miles, is going to be a challenge, that’s for sure, but it’s one that we are more determined than ever to get over the line.
“Training has been tough and gruelling; with my football and family commitments, there have been a lot of long nights and sore days!
“Dad, as has always been the case, has been my inspiration. He’s a very good distance runner and I just hope that I’ve done enough to be able to keep up with him so that we can cross the finishing line together. I know that I will be hanging on come the end!
“At this moment in time, I will just be happy to finish, but if I can complete in under five hours, that would be an achievement.
“We’re about halfway through the £2,500 fundraising target, so there’s still a bit to go. Once the season has finished we may organise a charity football game to add to the fund-raising pot and provide a good day for everyone.
“We just want to raise as much as we can for this brilliant charity so that others in a similar situation to us can be helped and also there can be better research for future care and treatments for this disease.”
Despite losing to a late goal in a 3-2 defeat at Thatcham Town on Tuesday evening, the Devon outfit have already secured their Pitching In Southern League Division One South status for another season, but Byrne admits that the campaign has been a mixed bag.
“We’ve left a lot of points out there, conceding too many late goals and not taking chances,” he added. “There’s no doubt that we have a good team here and in spells throughout the season we’ve played some great attacking football.
“Recent results have helped to steer us away from the bottom four and a few more over these final three games would be nice so that we can end the season on a high.
“There have been a number of changes amongst the playing staff this season with some of the old guard moving on. Being one of the older heads now, I try to help the younger lads that are coming up and it’s been a good challenge.
“It’s been a tough League this year; everyone has proved that they are capable of beating each other and with four going down, the second half of the season has been something of a dogfight, but we’ve dug-in and now we’re looking to end the season with a few positive results.”
A home game against play-off hopefuls, Mousehole, awaits on Saturday before they head to Devon rivals, Willand Rovers, on Bank Holiday Monday. The season ends at home to Westbury United.
If you would like to make a donation to Alex Byrne’s fund-raising effort on behalf of Parkinson’s UK, you can do so here - DONATE HERE
The Southern League would like to wish Alex and his dad all of the best when they take part in the 2025 London Marathon on Sunday, April 27th.
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