Southampton: Saints legend gearing up for another huge charity challenge

Southampton legend Francis Benali is set to take up another huge challenge on Sunday to raise more money for charity.

Benali, now a club ambassador for Saints, is to run a marathon in his back garden in aid of the Saints Foundation and NHS Charities Together.

His latest effort is inspired by the 2.6 challenge, which will see many people completing their own fundraising efforts with 2.6 or 26 on the 26th April – the day that the 2020 London Marathon was due to go ahead.

Benali’s challenges in the past have already raised over £1m for charities including Cancer Research UK.

Back in 2014, he took on running to every Premier League football ground over three weeks and covered 1,000 miles in the process.

Then in 2016, he ran a marathon and cycled 75 miles every day for two weeks to visit all 44 Premier League and Championship stadiums.

More from Saints Marching

• Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 2: Arrivals
• Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 1: Departures
• It’s time to talk about Gavin Bazunu
• Rain clouds on the horizon? Southampton beat Plymouth Argyle
• A lament for Southampton legend James Ward-Prowse

His toughest and most demanding fundraiser last year tasked him with seven Ironman challenges in seven days – a 2.4 mile swim, an 122 mile cycle and a marathon every 24 hours.

Despite being hospitalised at one point, Benali managed to complete five of these and achieved his overall target of £1m for Cancer Research UK.

He was awarded a richly deserved MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the Queen’s New Year’s honours list for 2020, but seemingly doesn’t want his efforts to finish there.

You can read more about Benali’s challenge via the southamptonfc.com website, donate via his Virgin Money fundraising page here (Benali’s Garden Marathon) and read more about the 2.6 challenge here (https://www.twopointsixchallenge.co.uk/).

After progressing through to the Saints first-team from the club’s academy, Benali remained a valuable part of the senior squad for 16 years.

In all, he made 243 appearances in the Premier League and scored only one goal – a memorable header for those watching Saints host Leicester at the Dell back in 1997.

With him as an ambassador alongside Matt Le Tissier and Laurie McMenemy these days, the club retains much of their values from the past and a cherished link to those who meant so much to the fans.