A charity fundraiser named after Paul Walden, the former manager of current Toolstation NCEL sides Grimsby Borough and Skegness Town, is looking to raise £5,000 having twice already beaten its previous target.A number of people will be taking part in a marathon later this month to raise money for the hospice that helped to look after Paul (pictured right) who also had a successful spell in the NCEL in charge of Louth Town.
Sadly, he passed away at the start of November and a Gofundme page - titled Running for the Gaffa! - has been set up with donations already reaching £3,523.
Writing on the page, organiser Mark Hallam said: "We are all 'Wally's Warriors' - family, friends and ex-players who have been left devastated by the passing of Paul 'Wally' Walden (The Gaffa) from an incurable brain tumour on 1st November, 2020.
"We are raising money for the St Barnabas Hospice in Louth to thank them for enabling Wally to remain at home throughout his battle.
"To raise money, we are going to complete a 26.36 mile marathon from Skegness Town's former ground on Burgh Road to Louth Town's former ground at Park Avenue as a tribute to a truly great man who achieved incredible success at both clubs.
"To add to the challenge, we are going to try and complete this with ONLY three weeks preparation with a date planned to complete the run on Sunday 20th December, 2020.
"We feel it's the least we can do after all he did for us and now we need your help to reach the target of £5,000 which would be a fitting tribute to an incredible man!
"Please give anything you can as yet again we try and run through a brick wall for him with this incredibly difficult physical and mental challenge."
For more details about the fundraiser and the chance to donate,
click here to go to the Gofundme page.