Aaron Mills very sadly died of MenB in January. Now, Shaun McEntee, a family friend, is running 100 miles in his honour.
Shaun told us about his incredible challenge:
“To honour Aaron, I will be running approximately 100 miles over five days, from Kidderminster Harriers Aggborough Stadium to Liverpool’s Anfield Stadium.
“This journey is for Aaron. He was a lifelong fan of Liverpool F.C. and held a season ticket at his local team, Kidderminster Harriers F.C. Running between the two stadiums represents the clubs he loved and the passion that meant so much to him.
“Aaron lived for football, played, coached, refereed and studied football. He had a season ticket at Kidderminster Harriers FC. He loved being with his mates in the North Stand.
“The Kidderminster Harriers paid a beautiful tribute to Aaron shortly after he passed with a minute’s applause on the 18th minute of a league game, and also presented a signed shirt with "AARON 18" on the back. Hence my starting point at Aggborough stadium.
Mass of red
“Liverpool FC was Aaron's religion. His 18th birthday present was the Liver bird tattoo on his arm. His celebration of life was a mass of red with over 300 people wearing a Liverpool FC shirt for him.
“Aaron had just started a Football Science degree at Liverpool John Moores University, the city he loved, with the dream of becoming part of the coaching staff at his beloved club. And so, Anfield, was the only possible destination.”
Shaun will be visiting several universities on the way to raise awareness of meningitis and encourage students to book in for their free MenB vaccines.
If you would like to follow along with Shaun’s run, or go out to support him, here’s his itinerary:
Day 1 - Wednesday 16th September Aggborough Stadium, Kidderminster to Wolverhampton University
Day 2 – Thursday 17th September Wolverhampton University to Harper Adams University, Newport, Shropshire
Day 3 – Friday 18th September Harper Adams University to Reaseheath College & University Center, Nantwich, Cheshire
Day 4 – Saturday 19th September Reaseheath College to Chester University
Day 5 – Sunday 20th September Chester University to Anfield Stadium, Liverpool
Shaun says: “Aaron was an incredible young man. I know everyone says that all the time when someone has passed but honestly, it has never been truer than with Aaron. Aaron carried himself with the kindest, most caring nature I have probably ever seen in such a young man.
Quiet confidence
“He had a quiet confidence about him that was so endearing. He also made more impact in his 18 years of life than most of us will make in a lifetime. I have two young boys of my own and if they can grow up to be the kind of man Aaron was then I will know I have done a good job as a parent.
“Which leads me on to Aaron’s parents, Tony and Dee. I can never explain to people that haven’t had the pleasure of meeting the Mills family just how amazing they all are. I have often said to my Fiancée Meg that if we can aspire to have a family unit as tight knit and loving as the Mills’ we will have done a great job.
“Which is what makes Aaron’s story all the more heartbreaking. Nobody deserves to go through what happened to Aaron. And if anyone deserved it the least it was the Mills.
Loss and suffering
“I knew little to nothing about meningitis before Aaron’s story, but since seeing the devastation it can cause I feel it is only right that I try and play what small part I can in trying to help prevent other families having to go through the loss and suffering that everybody who knew Aaron has endured.
“Which is why I chose to do this run. The training is getting intense now. It’s a lot, there’s a lot of late nights and early mornings going into this run and it is already pushing me. The event will push me further than I have ever been pushed before, and to tell the truth I am becoming more nervous with every day that passes on the build up to the event.
“But I know I will complete the challenge. The challenge is bigger than me. It is more meaningful than anything I have ever done and every step is going to be for Aaron. For this reason, I can not and will not fail to complete this challenge.
“The training is hard, the run will be harder, but my will to complete the challenge and play my small part in Aaron’s legacy and try to prevent other families from suffering the same heartbreak will get me through it."
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