More than 450 people took part in the inaugural Everton-themed ‘If You Know Your History’ 5K run this weekend in aid of The People’s Place – Everton in the Community’s proposed purpose-built mental health facility.
Participants included Everton Director of Football Marcel Brands, as well as first-team coach and Club legend Duncan Ferguson and former Blues stars Gareth Farrelly and Stuart Barlow.
Everton Giants Joe Royle and Duncan Ferguson officially started the race, accompanied by Lord Mayor Councillor Anna Rothery.
Club Ambassadors Ian Snodin and Graham Stuart were also in attendance, along with former Blues player Cliff Marshall, who joined Everton in the Community volunteers in handing out medals at the finish line.
The run - organised in partnership with BTR Liverpool - got under way at Prince Rupert’s Lock-Up Tower, with runners and walkers alike setting off to the sound of the iconic Goodison Park siren and Z Cars before making their way past key historical landmarks on a journey of 141-years of Everton’s history. The run finished in Stanley Park, overlooking Goodison.
The ‘If You Know Your History’ run will raise vital funds for The People’s Place, Everton in the Community’s fundraising campaign to build and develop a purpose-built mental health facility to support anyone in times of need.
‘The People’s Place’ will provide an overarching service to anyone, regardless of age, gender, location or football colours, to promote positive mental health and deliver support relating to suicide awareness and prevention.
Everton in the Community CEO Richard Kenyon said: “Over the past few weeks lots of people have been talking about the event and what it’s about, which is very important in terms of challenging the stigma around mental health. It has also seen lots of people getting out and getting active which is also really good for their mental health.
“We’ve had absolutely brilliant support from the football club and our fundraising team have done a great job in getting people here.
“Fans have come out in force – lots of Everton fans in their shirts – as well as fans of other clubs as well. It’s a great event for the whole community and in aid of a very important cause.”
Former Blues midfielder Farrelly is a keen supporter of Everton in the Community and took part in the run alongside his wife and son Alex.
Speaking at the finish line, he said: “It’s been a really well organised event, I wouldn’t expect anything less from the charity. It’s great to see so many people out and supporting the plans to build a specialist centre for mental health issues.
“At Everton we are fortunate to have a special history and to be able to tap into that with the run is very important, as well as encouraging the conversation around mental health.”
