Young Northamptonshire footballers to walk from Land's End to John O'Groats for charity during second lockdown

Halting of grassroots football inspired coaches to do something to keep team fit
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Young footballers and their coaches from near Northampton have set themselves the challenge of walking the equivalent of Land's End to John O'Groats for charity.

The two Brixworth Juniors FC's under-nine squads will be travelling 874 miles between them over the second coronavirus lockdown for Re:store Northampton.

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Tanya Cooper, whose husband Tom is one of the two coaches, said the halting of grassroots football inspired them to do something to keep the team motivated.

Brixworth Juniors FC's under-nine coaches Tom Cooper (left) and Jonathan NewmanBrixworth Juniors FC's under-nine coaches Tom Cooper (left) and Jonathan Newman
Brixworth Juniors FC's under-nine coaches Tom Cooper (left) and Jonathan Newman

"As youth football has been cancelled, it's not just a sport for them, it's a way of getting exercise and because they're in bubbles at school, so don't get to see their friends so it's as much about seeing their friends," she said.

"But that's all come to an end but we didn't want them to be downbeat about it so we started this challenge.

"We set up a group on Whatsapp and whenever someone does a mile or two, a photo is shared between the parents to show the others to keep their motivation high and connection with their teammates."

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The 28 players from the Panthers and Jaguars plus Tom and his fellow coach, Jonathan Newman, have already started the challenge, with around 250 miles completed so far.

A Localgiving online fundraising page was set up for donations, with £500 raised so far with the target of £874 for Re:store, which runs Northampton Foodbank.

Tanya, whose son Noah is on the team, said: "Everyone is partaking in all the pictures and sending videos, plus their school is putting it in their newsletter.

"It's really good, and it's gone all over social media, so it's going really well considering it was only launched last Thursday (November 5)."