The Brain Charity

This April, Archie Whitfield will take on an extraordinary endurance challenge in tribute to his late father, Dave Whitfield, running to all 20 Premier League stadiums in just 25 days. Starting at St James’ Park in Newcastle on April 2nd and finishing at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium on April 26th, Archie, 23, will cover approximately 800 miles before completing the London Marathon the very next day all in memory of his dad and raising for us here at The Brain Charity in the process.

Archie, a Chef from Thirsk, North Yorkshire, is going to complete this incredible feat all in aid of raising money and awareness for The Brain Charity. A national charity based in the heart of Liverpool, The Brain Charity supports people affected by any neurological condition, including brain tumours like the one that took his father’s life in December 2023. Football was a shared passion between Dave and Archie (who is a former youth footballer for York City FC), making this challenge a fitting tribute to his dad’s memory. 

Hear from Archie

Archie, the runner, said:  

“It’s hard to summarise dad in just a few sentences but he was a man of boundless personality, energy, quirks and mishaps. He would make everyone he met feel like the most important person in the room and always had time for friends, family, pupils and strangers alike. As a teacher, he went above and beyond to improve the outcomes of his students. As a local Green councillor, his enthusiasm and commitment sparked a community-wide change. As a dad, his support, advice and guidance was free-flowing, as were his many jibes and mick-takings.  

“But above all else, his greatest love was football and more specifically, Arsenal FC – a passion he has passed down to myself and my brothers. It is because of this shared passion that I will be running to every Premier League stadium, starting at St James’ Park and ending at the Emirates in the space of 25 days.

“Dad’s life was ended in December 2023 as a result of a disease called Cushing’s disease which was caused by a pituitary brain tumour. Thankfully, we were lucky enough to have a large community to rely on for practical and emotional support. Not all people are lucky to have this support system, and so I am raising money in his memory for The Brain Charity, who help so many families affected by conditions affecting the brain, like my dad.”

Who was Dave?

Through this extraordinary run, Archie will also be able to raise awareness about his dad’s condition. Cushing’s is a rare condition caused by excessive cortisol in the body; often this overproduction is due to a benign tumour in the pituitary or adrenal glands. 

Dave Whitfield was a former geography teacher, Green Party councillor and beloved community leader remembered for his boundless energy and kindness, he instilled a passion for football in his sons, a love that now fuels Archie’s challenge. As he prepares with gruelling training runs, he invites supporters to join him on parts of his journey.

Our appreciation

The Brain Charity CEO spoke on Archie’s unbelievable efforts to say:  

“Archie’s challenge is an incredible tribute to his dad, and we are so grateful for his support. Losing a loved one to a brain condition is devastating, and the money he is raising will help The Brain Charity support more families facing similar challenges. We’ll be behind him every step of the way and can’t wait to see him cross the finish line.”

For further information you can visit the website: www.archiewswhitfield.org.uk 

Donation page: www.justgiving.com/page/archie-whitfield