WHEN your club’s number nine finds the net to add to his growing goal tally – every football fan celebrates in their own individual way.

For lifelong Cherries supporter Andrew Hardiman this season, he laces up his trainers to complete one of life’s most gruelling athletic challenges.

The objective for the 28-year-old is clear. When Dom Solanke scores – he runs.

Not just any distance, however - a full marathon is completed in aid of Cancer Research UK for each goal scored.

Solanke took his haul to 10 for the season when striking in Tuesday’s 1-1 home draw against Millwall.

Having donated £500 to Andrew’s challenge afterwards, the England international told him: “I don't plan to stop scoring anytime soon!”

Asked by the Daily Echo what the striker’s donation meant to him, Christchurch resident Andrew replied: “To be honest, there were a couple of tears in the house that night just seeing it – it was amazing.

“He mentioned in his comment on the donation that he’s not going to stop scoring, which is good. I thought he would be the top scorer – therefore the most marathons to run.

“I had a number in my head of what I thought Dom would score and he’s not there yet – so he’s got a few more to go.

“If he gets a hat-trick, then I think my legs will start shaking with a little bit of fear! But long may he continue scoring and hopefully it helps the club as well as this challenge.”

Andrew is keen for Solanke to keep finding the net, to spearhead Jason Tindall’s side’s push for promotion back to the Premier League.

But what exactly goes through his head when the 23-year-old puts the ball in the net?

“Initially, it’s joy and excitement because obviously I’m a Bournemouth fan as well,” replied the inspiring fundraiser.

“Then the realisation I’ve got to run kind of hits and it’s a bit like ‘ah, this is going to hurt’.

“Then again, I think this is a good thing because it’s going to promote the challenge and raise more money.

“On the whole, it’s still all good when he scores and I’m happy – it’s never a fully bad feeling.”

Solanke’s donation took Andrew over the £5,000 mark. At the time of writing, he has raised a considerable £5,276.

Raised in Verwood, he is running in memory of his father Paul, who sadly passed away due to cancer in November.

“My dad was diagnosed early last year with cancer and I was trying to think of some ideas to raise some money for Cancer Research UK,” explained Andrew.

“Nothing really stood out in terms of being able to do something on a bigger scale.

“Then we got the bad news at the end of August that it was terminal. It kind of really hit me that ‘okay, actually – get myself in gear here and find something to do’.

“It was the week before the start of the season. I don’t know why, it just came in my head – let’s run a marathon for every time someone scores. It just fitted that Dom would be that player because I assumed he would be the main striker this season.

“Dad passed away in November, so he had seen a couple of the runs take place. When I initially told him, he said I was an idiot and I was crazy for doing it! But he was proud that I was doing something for a great cause and for him as well.

“I was able to come back and talk about it with him and share the responses we were getting and the donations that were coming in.

“He first took me (to Cherries) when I was six years old and we’ve had a season ticket ever since then. We had been together for home and away games, travelling all over the country.

“That was another reason really, the link with Bournemouth – the club he supported since he was five years old and his dad had taken him.”

As if the marathon feat was not difficult enough, Andrew had been hit with a hindrance in his quest to match goals with miles.

“I had appendicitis in November,” revealed Andrew, who is also set to run two 100km ultra marathons in May and July.

“I had my appendix removed which coincided with Dom scoring the two against Reading, typically.

“I was backdated a little bit and I had to catch up. I then had to take it easy as well but I think I’m now in a position to do the marathons before each next game.

“The lucky thing I’ve had this year is he’s spread them out between games! He had two against Reading but there’s not been many where he’s scored Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday and that would really pile on the pressure.”

Asked about his goal targets after finding the net on Tuesday, Cherries striker Solanke said: “On a personal note, to hit double figures at half way - I’m happy with that. Hopefully I can get quite a lot more.

Quizzed on whether he would like to double his tally and reach 20 for the campaign, the frontman replied: “Yeah of course – that’s a number I would like to hit. I think I’m capable of doing that – so we will see.”

However high Solanke’s goal haul this season – Andrew will be certain to put his best foot forward.

You can donate to his cause at justgiving.com/fundraising/domscoreswerun