Everton’s first team coach set to take on 26 marathons to raise money for Macmillan Cancer… as he sets target of £32,250 in between coaching Sean Dyche’s Premier League side

• Sean Dyche’s Physical Performance coach set to take on Project 26:26 challenge
• Jack Dowling, aims to raise £32,250 throughout project for Macmillan Cancer
• Starting on Sunday 22 October, the task culminates at April’s London Marathon 

Everton’s Physical Performance coach, Jack Dowling, is embarking on a remarkable mission to raise crucial funds for Macmillan Cancer Support Charity. 

Jack has undertaken the formidable challenge of running 26 marathons in 26 weeks, with the goal of raising an impressive £32,250 – an amount that can sustain a Macmillan nurse for six months.

The challenge comes after Jack’s older brother, Tom, was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer last year. 

Jack will be taking on the ‘Project 26:26’ challenge – the equivalent of running from Liverpool to Berlin – to thank the Macmillan teams who have been there for his brother and other families in similar situations. 

His campaign will begin at Merchant Taylors’ School in Crosby, on Sunday 22 October and end 26 weeks later, at the London Marathon in April. 

Everton ‘s Physical Performance coach, Jack Dowling (right), is embarking on a remarkable mission to raise crucial funds for Macmillan Cancer Support

 Jack’s older brother, Tom, was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer last year

Jack and his brother Tom, whom he is raising money for after his bowel cancer diagnosis

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All 26 marathons will be squeezed in around a busy schedule, with Jack celebrating becoming a father for the first time last year and juggling fatherhood with his daily duties at Everton, under manager Sean Dyche.

Jack is an active supporter of the local running community, particularly the Alive Fitness running club in Crosby. Over the past year, he has witnessed many members of the club transition from novice runners to successfully completing their first marathons.

Speaking about the challenge, Jack said: ‘In 2022, Tom was diagnosed with cancer, and we will continue to be supported by Macmillan Cancer Support teams throughout his treatment. 

‘I want to give back in the best way I know how – running!

Messages of encouragement have poured in, with Merseyside sports legend Tony Bellew and Joe Wicks, among those offering their support.

Acknowledging the outpouring of support, Jack remarked, ‘The response has been really moving. It’s given me a real boost and made me more determined to raise as much money as I can to say thank you. 

‘It’s going to be a difficult thing to do, mainly in terms of juggling the marathon schedule and recovery around family, work, and other commitments.

He continued, ‘But I have seen, first-hand, the difference that Macmillan and other support teams, particularly at the specialist centres where Tom’s been treated, are making day in and day out. This is what has inspired me to take on this challenge and to give a little something back.’

Nicole McIlveen, Macmillan’s Relationship Fundraising Manager for Merseyside and a member of the Alive Running Club in Crosby, extended her best wishes to Jack for his incredible challenge. 

Jack is an active supporter of the local running community, particularly the Alive Fitness running club in Crosby 

Over the past year, he has witnessed many members of the club transition from novice runners to successfully completing their first marathons

‘Macmillan is almost entirely funded through donations from our supporters, and we can only be there for people thanks to the fantastic efforts of fundraisers like Jack.’ McIlveen said.

‘Cancer is not going anywhere, and Macmillan is needed now more than ever.

‘Whether it’s creating new services, adapting old ones or speaking up on their behalf, we are working tirelessly to ensure people with cancer get the vital support they need right now.

‘The money raised from Jack’s marathon of marathons will help us to do that.’

Jack’s fundraising page is available via JustGiving or you can follow his progress on Instagram via @jdphysicalprep or online at project2626.info. 

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