NewsLFC Women staff to ride from Anfield to Elland Road for charity
A special bike ride between Anfield and Elland Road this week will hope to raise vital funds for a former footballer with strong connections to Liverpool FC and Leeds United.
Several staff from Liverpool FC Women are among those taking part in the fundraising challenge, which aims to provide funds for vital medical treatment for ex-professional Stacey Daniel.
Daniel, 40, is a huge Reds fan and former striker for Leeds Women for many seasons.
She is suffering from a debilitating form of MS and former colleagues hope to fund special treatment to slow down the progress of the disease through their efforts.
Among those setting off from Anfield at 5.30am on Thursday will be LFC Women’s Academy and regional talent club manager Julie Grundy, former Reds captain and now Academy education lead Leandra Little, and Liverpool-born former England forward Sue Smith.
“I was at Leeds for about 25 years in total and Stacey was with me there for about six years. We were both strikers. We’re all very close in the women’s game and you make friends for life,” said Grundy.
“All her former teammates have always kept in touch and there’s a group of us who are involved in organising things.
“Leeds and Liverpool have both been great. Stacey is a massive Liverpool fan, so it’s perfect to do the ride from Anfield to Elland Road.”
Smith, who also played alongside Daniel at Leeds, was determined to do her bit for her former teammate.
She commented: “It’s the football family, isn’t it? Even when you leave a club you still look after each other. As soon as we heard the news, we all wanted to do something and this is our little bit. I remember Stacey as a flying centre-forward, quick, scored lots of goals, so it’s nice to be able to do something to help her.”
Although recently retired, former Reds captain Little had no fear of taking on another physical challenge and is hoping to complete the full 127 miles inside a day.
“I always said when I finished I wanted to do a few physical challenges and continue to test myself, though this is also going to be a mental challenge,” she said.
“When you’re part of women’s football you know people’s stories and the challenges they face. Anything we can do to support others on that journey we will do.
“The cause is also close to my heart as my mum has MS. We’re not seasoned cyclists but it’s all about facing the challenge.”
You can support the Anfield to Elland Road cyclists and help Stacey here.
This article has been automatically translated and, while all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, some errors in translation are possible. Please refer to the original English-language version of the article for the official version.