Alan Shearer makes special trip to thank charity fundraisers

Alan Shearer makes special trip to thank charity fundraisers Keith Dungait was left paralysed from the waist down but is taking 2,775 steps in 'Move a Mile' for the Alan Shearer Foundation. A courageous charity fundraiser met his all-time hero today - and his excited son exclaimed: "Alan Shearer is in the lounge!" Keith Dungait was told he would never walk again after a stag-do accident in July 2018. The dad-of-two was left paralysed from the waist down after hitting his head on the bottom of a swimming pool during the celebrations in Majorca. He took his first solo step 997 days after the horrifying accident. And he used his sheer will power and determination to walk a mile. He is on course to raise £2,775 for the Alan Shearer Foundation. The overall target is £1m for a second hydrotherapy pool for people with disabilities at the centre in Newcastle upon Tyne. Donors were encouraged to give £1 for every 68 centimetre step Keith had to take around his home in Morpeth, Northumberland. They have been donating in huge numbers. Keith is now closing in on his target of £2,775, the equivalent of a pound for every step of the way. The England and Newcastle Utd legend visited Keith, wife Christine and their sons Ronnie, 16, and 13-year-old Macaulay to say thank you in person. Alan joked that it was 'surreal' when Macaulay remarked: "I can't believe Alan Shearer is in the lounge!'. But he admitted that he felt exactly the same when he met his hero, the late, great Kevin Keegan. Alan said: "I first saw the film of Keith Dungait setting out on his challenge on social media. We have had 10,000 responses to our 'Move a Mile' campaign so far and I would love to thank every one of them personally if I could. "But I wanted to see Keith because I was just so moved by his film. The idea is that you move a mile, donate £5 and then nominate three others. What Keith is doing to help others is just incredible and the commitment he has shown is amazing. "I wanted to see him, his wife and two boys; it is very humbling. The first thing his youngest one said was, "I can't believe we have Alan Shearer in the lounge! "It was really funny and I completely understand that - it is exactly how I felt when I met Kevin Keegan. Then I signed for Newcastle United!" But it is surreal when someone says that to you face to face." Gary Lineker and David Beckham support the Alan Shearer Foundation as does North East mayor Kim McGuinness. She has pledged to get Andy Burnham involved, too. Keith told how he met Alan at the former Julie's nightclub many years ago and Alan jokingly told him: "I told you to keep that quiet man!". He said it had been 'incredible' to meet his hero, "a legend and a superstar he used to go and watch week in and week out". He added: "That is one of the main reasons I wanted to do it: to help Alan Shearer and the people who use the centre which he founded. "I measured my step and it was about 68 cms so I calculated from that and set a target of 2775 steps. I have reached £2625. Some days I take 10 steps backwards and forwards. It has been tough at times but I just try to get through it. " Keith threw himself into physiotherapy after his accident eight years ago. He lifted his hand from the bars he relied on for support to take his first solo step 997 days after the horrifying accident. Sheer will power and determination has seen him complete the mile but the goal remains £2,775 (a pound for every step he’s taken). He has vowed to continue to take as many steps as possible a day until he reaches his fundraising target. [Image text:] 10 8 2 Thank You!! PoyTh H S Fin 2.775.00 To Thonard Serr Hurdred gsdonberof and Serny Fine pourds only Keith Dungait I