Kush said Alfie’s Squad was “like a family…it’s a whole community”.
“I think the most valuable aspect I found is that it’s not all about the grief, it’s about fun and life”.
Alfie is doing the race with the former Liverpool goalkeeper and charity patron Chris Kirkland, who said he struggled in the past with his mental health and “not wanting to be here”.
“It makes you realise now, when you see these kids and you see the parents that have lost their partner, that could have been my wife and that could have been my daughter – seeing the impact it has.. the devastation… it’s why I wanted to get involved,” he said.
Thirty teams will travel 650 miles and finish back in Liverpool on Sunday.
None of the teams know anything about the route or the tasks they will have to complete along it.
Kush said he hoped Race for a Reason would allow Alfie’s Squad to support more families like his.
“I guess that’s my advice for everyone is just be patient with each other and take into consideration what someone might be going through, even if you can’t see it,” he said.