The tragic sudden death of his father prompted a University of Manchester worker to we swop meetings for ‘meggings’ in a charity mission.
Alex Waddington has sported the multi-coloured male version of the sportswear ‘meggings’ for his morning commuting run after his father Richard died just ten days after being diagnosed with cancer in January.
Alex promised to wear a pair of garish men’s leggings – known as meggings – during one of his training runs, if he was able to raise £1,000 by mid-March.
Alex, who is Engagement Manager for Policy@Manchester, is now aiming to raise £3,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support and Strathcarron Hospice near Stirling.
“My meggings certainly raised a few eyebrows and drew some strange looks, particularly with bleary-eyed commuters at Stockport station,” said Alex.
“When I first put them on my eldest daughter laughed and then said ‘hippopotamus’, which says something about my legs. But it brightened up my Monday, and people have said it made them smile – although some might still be a little traumatised!”
To aid his fundraising efforts, Alex, who is based in the Faculty of Humanities, is taking part in the Bullock Smithy Hike on September 6-7, which involves walking 56 miles around the Peak District in 24 hours, starting and finishing in Hazel Grove, Stockport
Colleague and friend Jenny Wragge (who works in the Directorate for the Student Experience), who eagerly spread the word and the target was reached.
And Alex fulfilled his side of the bargain on Monday morning) as part of his regular five-mile commuting run to Stockport station from his home in Marple.
Alex said: “I have had some amazing support from friends, colleagues and family, but I have my sights set on raising a big sum for my chosen charities.
“I wanted to give people a gentle nudge to sponsor me and this seemed like a good idea. I had a great response and boosted my total by several hundred pounds once the challenge had been set – thanks mainly to Jenny’s efforts.”
