The son of Gillingham F.C’s head coach is taking on a running challenge to pay tribute to his late grandfather, legendary Liverpool goalkeeper Ray Clemence.

Jack Clemence is aiming to run 26.2 miles across January in honour of his grandad, who died aged 72 in 2020, following a 15-year battle with prostate cancer.

An Amazon apprentice and offspring of Gillingham Football Club’s new coach, Stephen Clemence, Jack hopes to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK while remembering the former England player.

Jack, 18, says he did not hesitate to sign up for the Run the Month challenge – which sees participants jog the length of a marathon in one month.

He explains: “When I first heard about the Run the Month it was something I instantly thought, ‘I’ve got to do this in honour of grandad,’”

“He was a tireless campaigner for the charity and it is very close to us.

“I’d like to hope (my grandfather’s) overriding feeling would be proud. Hopefully, he’s looking down on me (feeling) proud from somewhere.”

“It was the day before my grandad’s three-year anniversary of his passing, I came across (the challenge),” Jack adds.

“It was almost a sign if anything. It was, like, now I’ve got to do this.”

Jack is glad to be fundraising again after his last event for the charity was in 2021 at the Football March walk, supported by former Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling.

“(Fundraising) within the last few years has been slightly at the back of our minds and it’s relit that flame and it’s made me hungry to keep doing these challenges over the next few years,” he explains.

“This Run the Month is my first dip into helping the charity myself, personally. It feels great and hopefully, I’m doing (grandad) proud.

“Proud of my boy Jack Clemence for taking on this challenge...”

Jack, who is undertaking a degree apprenticeship with Amazon, hopes to achieve two 5km runs per week.

He plans to complete his first run of the month on New Year’s Day and hopes the challenge will improve his fitness all while raising money for charity.

He said: “On a personal note, I want to use (the run) to get my fitness back up, which will make it more challenging but all the more fun.”

He hopes the challenge will encourage others to take part in fundraising and help to increase awareness about prostate cancer.

“We’re all busy with our lives, not everyone wants to be running in January, but I want to plead to as many people as possible to get involved,” Jack says.

“It’s not even about getting the marathon done across the month – it’s about raising the money, raising the awareness. The money is going to a great cause.

“If we can get as many people to get checked out as soon as possible, spot the symptoms as soon as possible, we can save plenty of lives.

In a post online, the 18-year-old’s dad, says: “Proud of my boy Jack Clemence for taking on this challenge.

“We lost my dad three years ago today and it’s something he wants to do for Prostate Cancer UK. Well done son, Grandad would be proud.”

To sponsor Jack, click here.