Walking an epic route for charity

Jeff Stelling's March for Men

JEFF Stelling will team up with Oldham's own rugby legend Kevin Sinfield when he walks through the borough as part of the March for Men to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK.

March for Men will see Stelling, the Sky Sports presenter, complete 15 walking marathons in 15 days as he aims to raise £500,000

On Friday, June 9, Jeff will team up with Oldham-born former Great Britain and Leeds Rhinos Rugby League captain Kevin Sinfield as he starts his eighth day's marathon from Oldham Athletic.

Kevin has recently run the London marathon for Prostate Cancer UK, raising more than £5,500 and will be walking as well.

Stelling's journey starts from the South West at Exeter City FC and will finish in the North East at Newcastle United FC, both grounds named St James's Park. Clocking up 400 miles, he will visit 40 football clubs along the way.

Oldham marks the halfway point and offers a stern test with its rolling hills. Jeff will stop off at Rochdale Football Club before reaching the finish for the day at Accrington Stanley.

Some 145 men in Oldham are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year and the money raised from March for Men, Prostate Cancer UK's wider walking programme, will go towards stopping the disease.

Last year Stelling and close friend Russ Green - former Hartlepool chief executive - walked 10 marathons in 10 days from Victoria Park, home of Hartlepool, to Wembley and raised more than £420,000 during the process.

Stelling said he felt humbled by the reaction he received after the marathons and that prompted him to do it again.

He said: "After the agony and ecstasy of the walk last year, particularly the agony, so many people have been in touch with stories of their battle against prostate cancer. So many people wanted to say thank you to me, to Russ Green, and to Prostate Cancer UK for their support.

"It makes me feel very humble but also makes me feel very gratified that I'm in a position where I can do something. Prostate cancer kills one man every hour in the UK.

"I can hopefully raise awareness and raise funds to help men beat this disease."

Angela Culhane, Prostate Cancer UK chief executive, said: "After his heroic efforts last year, I'm delighted to welcome back Jeff Stelling for his second March for Men for Prostate Cancer UK."