4Com announced as sponsor for Benali’s Big Run

4Com Telecommunications company announced as main sponsors for ‘Benali’s Big Run’. Francis Benali, local Southampton man and former Southampton FC defender is facing on his biggest challenge yet. To run almost 1000 miles between all 20 Premiership Football Clubs and to complete this in just 21 days.

He will start his epic challenge on Sunday 24th August at Newcastle United and finish at Southampton FC on Saturday 13th September, aiming to arrive during the Southampton vs Newcastle game. Franny aims to raise 1 million pounds for Cancer Research UK.

Chairman and Managing Director Daron Hutt didn’t hesitate when Franny asked for his support. “Supporting Franny as the main sponsor for this amazing challenge is a real privilege for both 4Com and me personally. Benali’s Big Run is a wonderful idea and will raise a tremendous amount of money for Cancer Research UK. Running to every Premiership football ground will be an amazing achievement and we wish him all the luck in the world. All of the great staff here at 4Com are wishing him well and will be avidly following his progress throughout the 21 days.”

Fran said: “I’ve been told by some that ‘I’m mad’, ‘it can’t be done’, ‘don’t do it’ – but it’s made me even more determined to succeed. This challenge has been nagging away at the back of my head for years. It’s hugely demanding I agree, but that’s why I’m so motivated to do it.”

Fran added: “As well as a massive thanks to the sponsors 4Com, I have a brilliant support team who are preparing everything professionally to give ‘Benali’s Big Run’ every chance of success. They all believe in me. Now it’s my job to run it. Cancer Research UK is a fantastic charity and has made a difference to many thousands of families in the UK. I can’t thank them enough for their support. I want to raise as much money as possible – it would be great to hit £1 million, but every pound counts. Thank you to everyone who has sponsored me so far.”

Friend, Matthew Le Tissier is giving Fran his full backing: “He’s obviously mad but knowing him well I’m sure he will accomplish his challenge. I’m hoping to join Fran on some of the route to support him – although there’s no way my knees could take 40 miles in one day – never alone for 21 days in a row!”

Diane Platt, Cancer Research UK Regional Fundraising Manager, said: “Our work is only possible through our amazing supporters, and Franny, his family and team are so determined to raise as much as possible to fund essential research and treatment of all types of cancer. “We can’t thank everyone on team Benali’s Big Run enough for their hard work; they are an inspiration, after pulling together a team, sponsors and getting Franny training in just four weeks. Their dedication to make this challenge happen will help us to beat cancer sooner. Support like this is essential to our work at Cancer Research UK, our vision is to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured. Our ambition is to accelerate progress and see three-quarters of people surviving the disease within the next 20 years and its individuals like Franny and the team behind him who will help in achieving this.”

Donate here: www.benalisbigrun.co.uk. Or text ‘BIGR55 £3’ to 70070