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More on KentOnline
Former Kent and England bowler Alan Igglesden has completed a charity challenge, despite facing severe disability.
The 56-year-old, who is receiving end of life care, finished the Professional Cricketers’ Trust’s 5k May this weekend, with the support of his family.
Mr Igglesden, affectionately known as Iggy, travelled along a stretch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, near his present home in Keighley, West Yorkshire, on his mobility scooter.
He was joined by his wife Liz, daughter Beth, seven, and former Kent teammate Laurie Potter.
The accomplishment comes just a week after the couple revealed he is in end of life care following two major strokes and the growth of his brain tumour.
Mr Igglesden's story moved the cricket family, with well-wishers and support pouring in.
A JustGiving page was created to raise money for the Professional Cricketers’ Trust, the players' charity that has supported the Igglesdens over recent years.
But Mr and Mrs Igglesden wanted to take on the 5k themselves to help the charity.
Mrs Igglesden said: “Iggy was the most tired out of all of us. Although he didn’t have to walk, it was the concentration, which was a lot for him. But we did it.
"It was also lovely that Laurie came up from Leicester to join us.
“It was nice doing it together – all in slightly different modes of transport."
Mr Potter walked next to Mr Igglesden on his scooter, while Mrs Igglesden partially ran and Beth cycled.
Mr Igglesden, as a seam bowler, took 693 wickets between 1986 and 1998 and represented England seven times.
He first played for Kent in 1986 and joined the England team in 1993.
But in 1999 he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour and has lived with it ever since.
Mr Igglesden's campaign name is #5ferIggy - a link to the 25 five-wicket hauls he took as part of his 693 career wickets.
He has raised more than £13,000 and counting for the charity.
Mrs Igglesden said: “It’s fantastic already to see how much has been raised. There was one club that put £1,000 in and we have been scrolling through all the donations and the lovely messages.
“Personal messages were from cricket fans that had watched Iggy play. Lots of old pupils Iggy and I taught have contributed too.
“It all makes you feel like you matter, which is what Iggy certainly needs. It can feel quite lonely when he is fighting a very different battle on his own now. To know all these people are cheering him on from afar is really lovely.”
The Trust has supported the family with funding over recent years to enable Mrs Igglesden to care for her husband full time.
It provided the scooter and a stairlift at his home.
The Kent Cricket biography of Mr Igglesden on its website says: "A series of niggling injuries meant that Kent’s lively seamer Alan Igglesden played only three Tests.
"In an era when England changed their quicks with startling frequency, he can count himself unlucky.
"In 1993 Igglesden was picked for the first Test against Australia and looked set for an extended run. He didn’t play in a single Test that summer however, thanks to a groin injury and then a side strain.
"He did play twice in the Caribbean the following winter, but took only three wickets and was not picked again. Igglesden suffered an epileptic fit while playing for Berkshire in 1999."
People can still sponsor Mr Igglesden or take part in the 5k May by running, walking, swimming or cycling 5k, which is just over three miles.
For more information on Mr Igglesden's 5k May challenge and how you can support the charity visit his JustGiving page.
