Former Everton Forward Takes On Gruelling Xmas Fundraiser

Former Everton striker and Academy graduate Michael Branch will be 'Running Through The Dark' this festive season in an increasingly gruelling fundraising run for James' Place in Liverpool.

Michael, a striker renowned for his blistering speed over short distances, has committed to run the number of kilometres in every December date leading up to Christmas!

He ran one kilometre on 1 December, two on 2 December, three on 3 December and so on, in an increasingly demanding challenge which will culminate with a 24 kilometre run on Christmas Eve.

On December 20 Michael will end his 20 kilometre run that day by running into Hill Dickinson Stadium before the visit of Arsenal.

Every run will start and finish in the dark, symbolising the dark places so many men who use James' Place find themselves in.

Michael explained: "James' Place is a centre for men in suicidal crisis.

"They offer free, life-saving treatment to men. Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 35, 75 per cent of people who kill themselves are male and a football stadium is full of the types of people that need to know there is support out there.

"I know there are a lot of mental health support centres but this one just touched home a little bit more. I know people who have accessed the help there and they have said high things about it."

Michael speaks from experience, having found himself in his own dark places after his football career ended, and even considered taking his own life.

"You get into the mindset that your family, people, the world would be better without you," he said.

"It's not true, but it's your head talking. Thank God I didn't act on that, but some people do and suicide is final, there's no coming back from it.

"It is literally a hell on earth. I got help, and spoke to people, and now I've come out the other side and hopefully I won't ever go to those dark places again. I haven't thought like that for a long time now but I want to let people who need that support know that there are places that can help."

James' Place in Liverpool is one such place.

Michael came up with the idea of Running Through The Dark to support the centre, on regular Sunday morning runs he organises from outside the Britannia Pub on Otterspool Promenade.

Ironically, during a playing career which included 45 appearances for Everton and spells with Manchester City and Wolves, plus England recognition right up to Under-21 level, Michael didn't enjoy running!

"I used to hate it!" he declared. "I hated pre-season. I came out of prison in 2016 and I was in a bad place.  Everyone thought I'd be in a good place, but I wasn't. My marriage broke down, I was on my own, and then I just started running, and it helped. It really helped.

"And then I really got into it, big time during lockdown, running long distances. I started the running group on Sunday mornings.

"We get up to 20 or 30 people most weeks, although there's a bit of a drop off in the winter!

"We all get together, normally talk about the football the day before because there's reds and blues - and I was thinking, what else can I do? Then it came to me. I've been in dark places, and it can be really dark, and sometimes you don't think there is any light at the end of the tunnel.

"It's winter, when it's dark, and I thought, why not?"

Michael is now well into his alternative Christmas countdown. You can support him in his fund raising challenge by donating to the Just Giving link below.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/run-through-the-darkness?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL