Liverpool cabin crew worker is running Miles With Meanings around the world for local charities

A cabin crew member from Liverpool is planning to run ‘Miles With Meanings’ to raise money and awareness across the globe for Merseyside charities.

Kevin Cargill, 28, who travels the world for Emirates airline, has already pounded the pavements in places like Japan, Brazil, China and Thailand.

But he’s planning to cover a catalogue of countries over the next year or more to spread the word about organisations that are close to his heart and raise cash for them too.

Kevin said:

“I’m a keen runner anyway, and I’ve already raised money for a lot of local charities like Alder Hey, Maggie’s, NSPCC, Childline, Zoe’s Place, Make-A-Wish, The Centre for Mental Health, Mind and The Stroke Association Wirral.”

“Over the years, I’ve managed to run more than 25 half marathons and four full marathons … and these are just recorded ones.”

Now though Kevin, who’s from Norris Green but is based in Dubai, is planning to run half marathons – sponsored or otherwise – whenever he can in as many new destinations as possible.

He said:

“Running is so much more than a hobby for me.”

 “It gives me purpose and meaning, which is where the name Miles With Meanings comes from.

“I’ve so far run in Japan, Thailand, Canada, Russia, London, Brazil, South Africa, and China.

“Every mile I run means so much more than just putting on my shoes – it’s about creating special memories and giving every event and run I do more purpose.”

He is currently flying the flag for Liverpool and Alder Hey Children’s Charity and he smiles:

“Wherever I run I have my Alder Hey t-shirt on and people often ask me what it is and what I’m doing.

“But when I was in Brazil someone came over to me and asked for a picture with me on the street.  It turned out their child had been sent to Alder Hey Hospital when they were ill and needed a heart transplant!

“They noticed me because of my t-shirt.”

Kevin has been running and raising money from around the age of 14 and he’s collected thousands of pounds for charity ever since.

Kevin said:

“It just comes naturally to me, I love helping people,”

“I guess it stems from the morals and upbringing I got from my mum and dad.

“I did my first fund-raising event for The Centre for Mental Health, and I got a certificate and a thank-you letter, saying where the money I had donated had gone, and I loved that.

“Even if it’s just £100 you’ve raised you know your money has gone to something good.

“I’ll never forget going into Alder Hey one Christmas and seeing all the children singing around the Christmas Tree. It made me realise I couldn’t sit and moan about all the small things when here you had young people, little people, being so happy even though they were ill and having such a difficult time.

“It’s not just about the money. It drives awareness for the charities, it gives me so much pleasure and meaning to my life, and it’s nice to give something back to the city.”

He goes on:

“A lot of people doing my job look forward to dressing down and going out when they’ve got off a 16½ hour flight, but I look forward to getting my other uniform on, my running gear, and going for a run.

“It’s great getting to see different cities all around the world. I map myself a route in advance so I can include all the landmarks, and it makes memories for me too.

“And I get to talk about my city,” adds Kevin, who’s previously worked in a car showroom and the hospitality industry, with roles in several top city hotels like Doubletree by Hilton and Hotel Indigo.

“Lots of people know Liverpool. They know the accent, they know LFC, and of course they know the Beatles.

“Having spoken to so many tourists who love Liverpool, it makes me even more proud of my city and grateful for where I come from, and I love talking about it, the Cotton Exchange, the docks and the history, the development and the Cavern and flying the flag for such an amazing and beautiful place.”

Kevin is planning to change his charity focus four times a year to spread the love, the money and the awareness.

He said:

“I’ve wanted to do this for a long time, and now I can’t wait to see how many countries I can clock up with my runs for the incredible countries back home in and around the city.”

Follow Kevin’s journey on Instagram here.

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