Charlie's Big Challenge

TV Presenter Charlie Webster will be counting on the support of West Ham United fans when she completes her 250 mile charity run at the Boleyn Ground.

Charlie, who you will recognise from Sky Sports News, will visit 40 football grounds on her epic journey which begins on Sunday 26 January in Liverpool and ends on the Hammers' home turf during half-time of the Club's match against Swansea City on 1 February.

The 31-year-old is running on behalf of the national domestic violence charity, Women's Aid, and visited Chadwell Heath on Tuesday to help raise awareness of her run.

Charlie told West Ham TV she was delighted with the support she received: "It's great to be at the training ground today, all the players and the Club have been so supportive of what I'm doing to raise £100,000 for Women's Aid's work to support women and children affected by domestic violence.

"The players have had a few photos, they've signed my shirt and they're all backing me for the challenge.

"The captain's been really supportive and he's going to have a whip round with the rest of the players which is great that they're sponsoring me."

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The West Ham players show their support for Charlie

Charlie has not just received support from the West Ham players though, Club sponsors Alpari have been crucial in helping to make her fund raising possible.

"Alpari are West Ham's sponsors, and they've also very generously come on board as principal sponsors of the challenge enabling it to happen and ensuring that any money that is donated goes to Women's Aid work to end domestic violence.

"Alpari have made this possible and it's a great affiliation with West Ham, so thank you."

She is also hoping that Hammers' fans will come out to support her on the final leg of her journey, whether they're in attendance against the Swans or not.

"If you're a Hammers fan, come down, you will anyway because I'm finishing at the Boleyn Ground, but if you're not going to the match then come and support me whilst I'm running.

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Club sponsors Alpari have sponsored Charlie's challenge

"Really get behind me and support me because it's you that's going to help me run down the country. When my legs are hurting and I've got so many blisters on my feet, it will be the people who are supporting me and cheering me on that will get me through the challenge."

Charlie's challenge is not the first time she has gone the extra mile to raise money for the charity which is close to her heart, she has been involved for a number of years and even had a go at being a comedian.

"I've been an ambassador for Women's Aid for five years now so I've done various things like run the London Marathon for Women's Aid and I've done stand-up comedy, I got a few laughs and wrote my own comedy gags to raise money.

"I was trying to think of something that I could do that was a lot bigger because Women's Aid desperately needs funding to provide life-saving services across the country and to stave off the loss of vital refuges and safe support in every region.

"I want to try and raise that awareness and get people to realise that it's not just a women's issue but a human being issue. It's a society issue so that's why I'm trying to use football to get men to take a stance against it as well."

To find out more about Charlie's Challenge, including information on how you can sponsor Charlie, click here. Alternatively you can donate £3 by texting 'CBC' to 70300.