Shelf United players hoping to score charity cash with running challenge

30 players from the club’s first and second teams will run a total of 10 kilometres each on Friday, August 21, starting and finishing from Stone Chair Variety Club.

They are hoping to raise £2,000 in aid of Marie Curie and Guys and St Thomas’ Charity.

The challenge has been inspired by Mick Uttley, who was diagnosed with Wegener’s granulomatosis in December 2013, a rare illness that causes inflammation of the blood vessels in the nose, sinuses, throat, lungs and kidneys, and who died aged 50 in May 2014.

Guys and St Thomas’ Charity funds research into finding answers as to why this illness occurs in the hope of finding a cure.

Jason Taylor, who is a midfielder for the club’s first team, said: “My mother-in-law and my granddad have both died of cancer, so raising money for cancer charities is something I’ve wanted to do for a while.

“Then with Mick, he’s been a club legend for many years, so it’s in memory of him as well.

“He and his family were heavily involved at the club, he was a player for many years and helped out a lot.

“Some of the comments from Mick’s friends were that he was an all round nice bloke, he’d do anything for anybody, he was well respected and known by everyone who played in the Halifax League.

“I would say he did a lot for local teams and sport.

“We created a bit of a running club during lockdown, doing mini competitions and it went from there.

“We thought we might as well use this fitness we’ve gained to do a challenge as a club.

“The first team and the second team are involved. Everyone’s practicing at the moment.

“Stone Chair is our clubhouse, so they’re hosting the event and holding a barbecue afterwards, which will hopefully be outside if the weather’s good.”

If you would like to donate, you can do so by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/shelfunited300kmin24hours.