Former footballer Francis Benali is set to visit Liverpool as part of a mammoth fundraising challenge.
The full-back became no stranger to Merseyside football following his career a marauding full-back for Southampton during the 1990s.
And Benali is now set to revisit two former stomping grounds in Anfield and Goodison Park in a bid to raise £1 million for Cancer Research UK.
The 47-year-old is running and cycling to all 44 Premier League and Championship grounds in just two weeks as he aims to meet the fundraising target.
To complete the ‘Benali’s Big Race’ challenge, the former Southampton player will cover at least 100 miles a day – running one marathon and cycling the remaining distance every day.
The challenge began at Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium last Sunday and will finish at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton on October 16.
Sandwiched in between the two will be visits to the homes of Liverpool FC and Everton this Thursday before travelling to Wigan Athletic’s DW Stadium.
This is Francis’ second fundraising feat in aid of Cancer Research UK. His first challenge in 2014 – running from Newcastle to Southampton via every Premier League club in just three weeks – raised £265,000 for the charity.
He said: “The first challenge was far tougher than I ever imagined, not just physically but mentally and emotionally too.
“But my pain and suffering was nothing compared to what cancer patients and their families go through every day.
“Last year, my father-in-law Bill was diagnosed with prostate cancer so I’m even more determined to raise as much money as possible to help conquer this devastating disease.
“I’m hoping to top my previous fundraising total with all the money raised going towards Cancer Research UK’s work into immunotherapy across the UK.
“The support I received in 2014 was incredible and hopefully people in Liverpool and across the UK will be just as generous this time around.
“Every pound donated will support Cancer Research UK’s pioneering work in immunotherapy, helping to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.”