By Leicester Mercury | Posted June 23, 2012
Leicester City legend Alan Birchenall's annual charity run has raised more than £44,000 for the LCFC Foxes Foundation's One in a Million campaign.
The unstoppable Leicester City ambassador has been running laps of the City pitch before the last home game of the season for the past 32 years.
In April, he was joined by scores of other runners at the King Power Stadium when Leicester took on West Ham.
Players from both teams joined The Birch, as well as boxer Rendall Munroe and others as he made his way around the pitch.
The Birch, who made 163 appearances for Leicester City, between 1971 and 1977, said: "I'm grateful every year for everyone who takes part in the run, but the One in a Million campaign makes this year even more special."
Leicester boxer Rendall, who raised cash for the charity, said he was more than happy to support the Birch.
He said: "He's helped me all through my career and I just wanted to do something to pay him back.
"I've told him I'll join him every year for the run. The man's a legend, he just keeps going.
"I've always said that I'd be a happy man as long as I can keep running like him."
The cash was raised through sponsorship and donations from City supporters.
It will go towards the £150,000 target, set by the One in a Million campaign, and if it is reached it will mean The Birch will have raised more than £1 million for various causes during his time at the club.
Also among the fund-raisers was local BBC commentator Ian Stringer, who raised £18,808 by running the London Marathon and the Birch Run.
Football fans also raised more than £10,000 through bucket collections outside the ground on the day of the run.
The Birch said: "I'd also like to say a special thank you to Strings for his own individual contribution.
"Running the London Marathon is an achievement in itself, but to raise such a phenomenal amount of money in the process deserves massive praise.
"The generosity shown by everyone associated with the club during the One in a Million campaign has been just incredible.
"But the Leicester City fans have made this a truly remarkable campaign with their amazing support and I'm truly honoured to represent them in any way I can."
The One in a Million campaign is organised by the LCFC Foxes Foundation, an independent charity which has been set up by the club to raise cash for worthy causes.
The project aims to split the money equally among 10 Leicestershire-based charities including the LOROS hospice, Rainbows children's hospice and the Harley Staples Cancer Trust.
Tony Donovan, executive director of Age UK Leicestershire & Rutland, which will benefit from the cash, said: "It's just fantastic, and also the energy that Alan has applied over the years to fund-raising is amazing.
"What he's done over the years has helped so many people and we really can't say thank you enough.
"He's an inspirational figure."
To donate to the One in a Million campaign, visit: www.justgiving.com/ lcfcfoxesfoundationltd
