A huge thank you and well done to supporter Shaun McEntee, who at the weekend completed his epic Aggborough to Anfield challenge in memory of his good friend Aaron Mills.
Shaun had set out to run the 100 miles between the Kidderminster Harriers Aggborough Stadium in the West Midlands and Liverpool’s Anfield Stadium over five days, and on Sunday family and friends turned out in force to support him as he completed the final stretch.
Among those cheering him over the finishing line was Meningitis Now’s Ellie, who told us: “The turnout was incredible. It was an emotional day for everyone there in one way or another — whether they had a personal connection to Aaron or whether the event brought back memories and feelings from their own experiences with meningitis.
Sense of community
“For me, the day really highlighted the incredible sense of community that comes with events like this. So many people didn’t know one another beforehand, yet everyone was able to talk openly, share their experiences and feel connected.
"Seeing everyone come together and feel that they had played a part in supporting the family was really special.”
Aaron, a student at Liverpool John Moores University, died from meningitis earlier this year.
Shaun told us: "I felt really passionate about this run because the world has lost such an amazing young man who made more impact in 18 years than most of us will make in a lifetime.
“This journey was 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 represented 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 just started a Football Science degree at Liverpool John Moores University."
Raising awareness
Shaun’s run took in several universities along the way, including Wolverhampton, Harper Adams and the University of Chester, to raise awareness of meningitis and encourage students to book in for the free vaccine. Friends and family joined for the last leg to Anfield, stopping at Byrom Point, the halls where Aaron stayed.
“I knew little to nothing about meningitis before Aaron’s story, but since seeing the devastation it can cause I felt it was only right that I try and play what small part I can in trying to prevent other families having to go through the loss and suffering that everybody who knew Aaron has endured.
“That’s why I did this run. I always knew I would complete the challenge – it’s bigger than me. It is more meaningful than anything I have ever done and every step was for Aaron.”
All in Aaron’s memory
Tony Mills, Aaron’s dad, added: "I owe Shaun a lot, he's done all this in Aaron's memory and it's been phenomenal."
"I've really tried to get Aaron’s legacy over the last nine months to what it should be because his potential was unlimited. A lot of people now know Aaron's name, they know Aaron's story, and it's really helped me a lot. I feel like I can move forward a bit.”
Shaun hopes to raise £5,000 from his run. A Forever page set up in Aaron’s memory has so far raised over £33,313. Read more here.
