Southampton fans have been reacting on social media in an attempt to get former player Franny Benali a Pride of Britain award, in honour of his charity work. The ex-Saints captain has completed a series of challenges with the purpose of raising money for Cancer Research UK.
His latest challenge was concluded last month and his efforts led him to raise over £1 million. Benali’s Iron Fran test saw the 50-year-old complete five Ironman triathlons inside a week. He ran five marathons, swam 12 miles, cycled 560 miles and almost burned 61,000 calories.
He started the challenge in Manchester and finished in Southampton, his home city, where many people turned out to cheer him home.
Benali joined Saints as an apprentice in the 1980s and stayed with the club until 2004, making over 300 appearances for his hometown club.
The Iron Fran challenge was his third attempt to raise his target of £1 million, in 2014, he ran to all 20 Premier League stadiums and two years later he conducted a two-week test that saw him run and cycle to all the Championship and Premier League grounds.
After the challenge, a petition was started to get Franny a knighthood, and many fans believe he deserves recognition for his charity work.
Calling all Saints fans.. let’s get voting for our hero @FrannyBenali for a Pride of Britain award.@SouthamptonFC @KenzieBenali https://t.co/l7pIxpD0fJ
— Kelly Morse (@sfckelly) June 17, 2019
National love for the great man
— steve (@saintly67) June 18, 2019
He absolutely deserves all the recognition in the world for what he has put himself through to raise a staggering amount of money for cancer, I as a Saints fan and just as a normal person think he is fantastic.
— Paul Rickman (@PaulrickmanPaul) June 18, 2019
No, Pride of Britain is for ordinary people like you and me. This guy is anything but ordinary ????????
— steve (@saintly67) June 18, 2019
Quite agree, what @FrannyBenali has done to highlight and raise awareness for @CR_UK is selfless, and could benefit us all in the future…
— Andrew S-W (@Andrew_SW) June 18, 2019
@Southampton legend is our franny he deserves all the praise in the world ????????????
— Richard lee garvey (@Richardleegarv2) June 18, 2019
Done Well done Franny #COYR
— trautsneerg (@trautsneerg) June 19, 2019
Please nominate Francis Benali for the courage and determination he showed raising over £1,000,000 for Cancer Research during his Iron man’s. https://t.co/AXPQpUcoZX
— Wsmman (@wsmruss) June 18, 2019
