Everton Fan to take on 100 mile challenge to raise funds for Clatterbridge Cancer Charity

Mum of four Liz will end her 10×10 mile Ever-TON walks at Hill Dickinson Stadium on 13th September, prior to the Blues’ clash with Aston Villa.

She hopes to raise more than £1000 for the charities after promising her late husband she would fundraise in his name and keep his memory alive.

Liz said:

“Daz was so inspirational. There was never a day after his diagnosis that we heard him complain. He never seemed to receive any good news from scans and tests but continued to face every challenge with a smile, always asking ‘okay, what’s next?’.

“I promised him on the night he fell asleep forever that his fight would not be in vain and his courage would never be forgotten.

“He was a born and bred Evertonian and he kept up with the development of the new stadium for what felt like every minute of every day when he wasn’t able to work. We are going to finish the walks at Hill Dickinson Stadium, see his memorial stone on Everton Way and honour his life.”

The challenge is for Liz and her family to complete a total of 10 walks of 10 miles each, with the final journey taking place from Huyton, where Daz grew up, to the new home of Everton on the banks of the River Mersey.

Daz was 51 when he was diagnosed with bladder cancer. He underwent surgery before treatment at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre.

The couple, originally from Huyton in Merseyside, would travel between their home on the Isle of Man to Liverpool where he received chemotherapy and immunotherapy, in addition to his treatment on the island.

Sadly, the cancer spread to his lymph nodes and he passed away in September 2023, the day before their 25th wedding anniversary.

Liz said:

“Before his symptoms started, he was such a healthy man. He didn’t drink or smoke. He got brilliant treatment, but the cancer was just so aggressive. He never gave up hope.

“Clatterbridge allowed us the time to make some very precious memories.”

The couple, together with their children, enjoyed a Mediterranean cruise two months before Daz passed away and they renewed their wedding vows while onboard.

Liz said:

“He used to watch the drone footage of the building of Hill Dickinson Stadium all the time. I would come home from work and he would say to me ‘come and see this’ and show me how it was progressing.

“When we went to Liverpool he would go to see how the building work was getting on and one of my favourite pictures is of him looking at the stadium being built while travelling down the Mersey on the ferry from the Isle of Man.

“We want to finish the walks there to honour his memory. My daughter Emily has managed to find his stone in Everton Way on drone footage and we can’t wait to see it.

“We were meant to go to a match at Goodison Park before Daz died but he wasn’t well enough to travel but the club very kindly sent us a video from the legend Graham Stuart, and a signed shirt from the first team.

“We would love to see a game at the new stadium as we know Daz would have loved to – it would be the perfect ending to our fundraiser, and a win would be the cherry on top.

“The reason we got together all those years ago was because we were both Everton fans. I wouldn’t have considered being his girlfriend if he’d supported Liverpool!”

This is the second challenge the family have taken on in his memory. Their earlier Walk of Life was in recognition of his love of the band Dire Straits, named after one of their biggest hits. It included a trip to Everton’s former home at Goodison Park where the family posed for pictures outside the ground wearing T-shirts emblazoned with Daz’s picture.

Liz added:

“Clatterbridge Cancer Charity and Isle of Man Anti-Cancer Association provide hope for patients, the hope that kept Daz going.

“I also hope his story encourages other people to be aware of their health and to get any symptoms checked out.”

Hannah Walsh, Community Fundraiser for Clatterbridge Cancer Charity said: “I would like to say a huge thanks to Liz and her family for their fundraising in honour of Daz.

“It is thanks to generous fundraisers that we are able to help the one in two people affected by cancer in our region.

“We can’t wait to meet the family at the end of their Liverpool walk and hope they have a brilliant time watching Everton. Here’s hoping the Blues get a win to finish off the challenge in style.”

Sandy Denning, Executive Officer for the Isle of Man Anti-Cancer Association added: “We are so inspired by Liz and her tireless efforts to keep the memory alive of her beloved husband Daz.

“Good luck to Liz and family for the rest of the challenge and thank you so much for also raising funds for the IOM Anti-Cancer Association. Have an amazing time watching Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium.”

You can help Liz fundraise for Clatterbridge Cancer Charity and Isle of Man Anti-Cancer Association here.

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