Tumour shock inspires man to run from Hampden to Wembley

A man has vowed to run 390 miles from Hampden to Wembley after a tumour scare gave him a “new lease of life”.

Alex Woodward, from Bothwell, plans to take on the gruelling charity challenge in the days leading up to Scotland’s clash with England in June – hoping to arrive outside the stadium in time for the Euro 2020 game kicking off.

The overall journey is made up of 15 marathons in 15 days.

The 26-year-old, who owns his own plumbing company, was inspired to take on the task following a health shock in August last year when medics discovered a tumour located on a nerve on his lower back.

Following weeks of scans and a biopsy, the tumour – which was six centimetres in size – was found to be non-cancerous.

However, a negative cancer result wasn’t the end of Alex’s ordeal.

Doctors said he would need surgery which would affect his ability to walk if he started to suffer from pain.

Alex told STV News: “When the doctors told me I might not be able to walk, I was telling myself ‘you’re running to London next year if things turn out to be OK’ – it was motivation for me.

“The minute I got the all-clear I thought to myself ‘this is happening’.”

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He added: “Despite it being the most difficult period, I feel incredibly fortunate that I have been gifted a completely new lease of life.

“The fact I have a six-centimetre tumour and went through all the scans and appointments just to be told I can function and live as normal makes me incredibly grateful.

“It has given me a truer, more pure understanding of life as a whole but also for the victims of cancer and diseases where they do not receive the same news I did.

“These people, as well as their families, are the true heroes.

‘This whole experience has changed my life for the better and I want to celebrate being able to function healthily by completing this challenge and making a real change.’
Alex Woodward

“This whole experience has changed my life for the better and I want to celebrate being able to function healthily by completing this challenge and making a real change.”

Alex’s crowdfunding page aims to raise £50,000 to contribute to building a new community centre at the heart of Glasgow Green alongside football club Finnart Academy.

The centre is aimed to provide a vital service for all underprivileged kids in Glasgow and surrounding areas.

Finnart AFC was established in Bridgeton in 1979 with the main aim to create a community club and safe environment for youngsters to play football.

Alex said: “My plumbing company and many other local companies in Glasgow are keen and already signed up to contribute towards the construction and development of the centre.

“More donations are crucial to bringing this much-needed vital support to life.”