NewsLFC Women coach to tackle London Marathon for charity

The Reds’ strength and conditioning coach is set to put on his running shoes in support of a cause very close to his heart, the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

“In March 2020, my fiancé then and wife now, Laura, got rocked with the news that she had MS,” Smith explained to Liverpoolfc.com.

“She was diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS, which means her immune system can mistakenly attack her brain and her nerves any time. From this, Laura has received support from the MS Society ever since her diagnosis.

“Three years on, three hospitals later, three different schools, four relocations, planning a wedding (twice), completing her master’s and giving birth to the most beautiful little boy, it’s fair to say the last few years have been hectic.

“All the while dealing with pins and needles in her hands and feet, headaches, bouts of fatigue and having to put up with me!

“My reason for running the marathon is simple: to support a charity that has done so much for us as a family and an opportunity to give back.”

The streets of London will be pretty familiar for Smith having worked in the capital for six years, including two at West Ham United Women as he first linked up with LFC Women manager Matt Beard.

Beard was quick to add the Irishman to his backroom staff as soon as he returned to the Reds and Colm has been a key part of the team for the past two seasons.

While his training chart shows lots of runs around the Wirral peninsular base of LFC Women, he is leaving nothing to chance in his first marathon and has already undertaken a 27km, two-hour run in London around part of the circuit.

The traditional route will see Sunday’s marathon start in Greenwich and take in some of the capital’s most familiar sights before finishing just yards from Buckingham Palace.

If you would like to support Colm in his efforts, you can donate to his fundraising appeal here.

“Every donation makes a difference and will be gratefully received,” he added. “Everyone, including the players, has been very supportive, though I’m sure they will take plenty of pleasure in seeing me doing the hard yards for once!”