JEFF’S ON THE MARCH AND BATH TIME GETS NEARER...
JEFF Stelling is over halfway through his gruelling 262-mile walk from Hartlepool United to Wembley Stadium to help beat prostate cancer – and getting closer to the longest bath in the history of the world!
Sky’s Soccer Saturday presenter set out on the first of his ten marathons in ten days last Monday.
When The FLP caught up with him on Good Friday, Stelling was on his way to Nottingham, almost at the mid-point of his amazing journey.
“I was on my knees for the first two days,” he said.“But today is the first time I’ve felt comfortable and not in too much pain. Some people told me beforehand that when you get into the meat of it, your body readjusts and knows what’s coming – another 60,000 steps today!”
But when the going has got tough, the support of the football community and the general public has lifted him.
“I’ve had fantastic TLC from physios at Nottingham Forest, Leeds and Chesterfield and the football clubs have been fantastic.We’ve had big cheques at York City, Scunthorpe United and Sheffield United. I’ve had little girls giving me their one pound pocket money and checkout girls leaving their tills and giving donations.The support has been absolutely brilliant.”
Stelling’s Soccer Saturday colleagues like Paul Merson, Matt Le Tissier and Charlie Nicholas are also joining him on different legs of the walk.
Speaking on Friday, Merson said:“My ankle is a bit sore, but I’ve still got plenty left in the tank and Jeff’s doing really well.You can’t not join in with something like this and I’m looking forward to going home this evening and having a well-earned sherbet.”
The charity walk has really caught the public imagination. Stelling’s initial £100,000 target has been obliterated. More than £200,000 had been raised by Friday and the new target of £300,000 doesn’t appear out of reach.
Now all it needs is for Stelling to power on to the finish at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday.
“Unless I fall in the Trent, I’ll make it,” quipped Stelling.“I’m looking forward to seeing my family, having the longest bath in the history of the world and a nice beer. I’ll also want to put my feet up and not have to think that I’ve got to walk 26 miles the next day!”
Support Jeff or get involved by visiting www.menunitedmarch.org or text ‘JEFF’ to 70004 to donate £3.