PENKRIDGE has played host to a world record-smasher who has juggled a football during a 10-day multi-marathon trek.
Dan Magness arrived in the village on Monday as part of his UNICEF fund-raising project to walk from London to Manchester while doing “keepy-uppies”.
He got to Penkridge having walked 133 miles and stayed overnight before setting off on day eight of his journey to Birmingham.
Mr Magness started his journey from the home of football, Wembley Stadium, on Tuesday, May 1, and travelled the equivalent of almost a marathon a day or an estimated 400,000 steps.
He was set to arrive in footy-mad Manchester today, 200 miles and 10 days after leaving London.
Mr Magness stopped off at schools and community groups to inspire others and teach ball tricks.
He said: “This is without a doubt the craziest, most exciting and most challenging thing I have ever done.
“I’m hoping that my challenge raises loads of money for UNICEF’s vital work saving children’s lives, and inspires other people to take up a “Keep it up for Soccer Aid” challenge.
“The toughest part so far has been crossing busy roads and the weather has- n’t made things easy.
“My calves are hurting and my feet are a
bit bruised but I just concentrate on the ball and think about the children who will be helped with the money I raise.
“Apart from one old woman outside Milton Keynes who tried to jab the ball with her walking stick, the response of the public has been amazing. People have come out to cheer me on and put donations in the UNICEF bucket.”
Mr Magness’s journey is an attempt to set a new world record for “the longest distance travelled whilst juggling a football”.
