The third annual Run For The 96 takes place in Stanley Park on Sunday and local sporting heroes are throwing their support behind the event.

The 5k fun run was launched to remember and celebrate the lives of the 96 Liverpool supporters unlawfully killed at Hillsborough in 1989 and in solidarity with the families and survivors, who tirelessly fought for justice for many years.

The event will again raise funds for community projects, Everton in the Community and the Liverpool FC Foundation and this year also for Stanley Park Liverpool CIC, which develops links between the park and local community.

The run starts at 9.30am with the traditional playing of You’ll Never Walk Alone and Z Cars, while this year will be followed for the first time by a new one mile dash at 11.15am.

Boxing brothers, Steven Smith, Paul Smith and Liam Smith supports Run for the 96
Boxing brothers, Steven Smith, Paul Smith and Liam Smith supports Run for the 96

Special guests taking part this year include the Smith boxing brothers Liam, Paul and Stephen along with Liverpool legend Alan Kennedy, while Everton midfielder Tom Davies is also supporting the event.

The Smiths said: “We’re proud to be supporting and taking part in Run For The 96 in Stanley Park this Sunday (14 May). This important event honours the memory of The 96, as well as raising money for important causes in Liverpool.”

After supporting for the past two years Margaret Aspinall, chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, will take part in the 5K for the very first time. She will walk the course with Liverpool actor, Michael Starke.

Mrs Aspinall said: “Run For The 96 is a fantastic way to bring the community together in a positive, active way to remember The 96. It is a lovely tribute and a very special legacy.

“Everyone in Liverpool deserves credit in our fight for justice and I am extremely proud of my city. After cheering everyone on for the last couple of years, I am excited to take part this year and experience the wonderful atmosphere first-hand.”

Emmerdale actor Kurtis Stacey, Milk Tray Man and Cheshire firefighter Patrick McBride, and original Big Brother winner, Liverpool’s TV handyman Craig Phillips are all taking part in the 5k while new Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram will again lend his support and will be joined by Wirral MP Alison McGovern, Deputy Mayor of Liverpool Councillor Ann O’Byrne and local personality Speedo Mick.

Alongside the two running events, there will be plenty of fun to keep participants and spectators entertained before, during and after the fun runs including beat the goalie, a football obstacle course and cross bar challenge with Liverpool Homeless Football Club as well as kids’ yoga sessions and face painting.

A regular on match days at Anfield and Goodison, Supporting Food Banks will have a donation point on the race showground and runners are encouraged to bring along non-perishable food which can be donated to people in need.

Hundreds of people pulled on their running shoes for Run For The 96 5k fun run, where stars and members of the Hillsborough families were in support for the second-running of the event in Stanley Park.
Hundreds of people pulled on their running shoes for Run For The 96 5k fun run, where stars and members of the Hillsborough families were in support for the second-running of the event in Stanley Park.

Runners can also do their bit to help youngsters and adults without access to kit and equipment. KitAid is a charity recycling unwanted kit for the developing world, including Malawi, Kenya, The Gambia, Sierra Leone and Cape Town.

KitAid is encouraging participants and spectators to donate clean and good condition T-shirts and football kits. They can also accept full team kits as well as individual items including boots, shin pads, balls, training bibs and rain jackets. Shirts carrying sponsor logos can also be accepted.

Funds raised and donations through last year’s event totalled £11,252.78 for the LFC Foundation and Everton in the Community, the charitable arms of the city’s two football clubs to enable them to continue their fantastic work across Merseyside – seeing them each receive £5,626.39.

People can fundraise or make donations by visiting the official Virgin Giving page at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RunForThe965k

The 5K participants are encouraged to wear their red or blue race T-shirt while 1 Mile runners are invited to wear their chosen football strip. All finishers receive a commemorative medal and goody bag.

Online entries will remain open until 5pm on Friday, 12 May – register at http://www.btrliverpool.com/run-for-the-96