THE final day of the March For Men in aid of Prostate Cancer UK is one I will never forget.
We were all about to set off from the Stadium of Light to St James’ Park when I was told we had to wait because a surprise late entrant was joining us.
I couldn’t believe it when around the corner came my old walking partner and former Hartlepool CEO Russ Green.
It was the first time I had seen him since we walked from Hartlepool to Wembley together last year.
It was also the first time I’d had a tear in my eye at the START of a leg.
What a way to start the day. Fantastic.
SUNDERLAND goalkeeping legend Jim Montgomery – who pulled off that incredible save in the 1973 FA Cup Final – also joined us.
He still looked in great shape and we trekked out of Sunderland.
How the Black Cats could do with him now.
Jim wanted to talk about the problems at his beloved club.
But I told him: “We’ve only got four hours together.”
Most Read In Sport
HE might not look like he has, but let me assure you Paul Merson has incredible stamina.
He set off with us yesterday morning at 8am having arrived in Durham at 3am following a dinner where he had been speaking.
He then walked 22 miles with us, before he jumped in another car to take him to speak at another dinner in Blackburn.
And he still insisted we should have walked from Newcastle to Exeter, not vice-versa, because it was DOWNHILL on the map!
REACHING Newcastle and the end of the March For Men was an incredible feeling.
People asked me if it was as tough I thought would it be and I said yes.
I never underestimated how difficult this walk would be. I knew doing 15 marathons in 15 days would be tough after doing 10 marathons in 10 days last time.
But what makes it worthwhile is that I have been told we are on course to raise at least the £420,000 we raised last time.
So thank you. I am now off for a pint.
JEFF STELLING was taking on 15 walking marathons in 15 days from June 2-16 for Prostate Cancer UK.
That’s 400 miles from Exeter City to Newcastle United – St James Park to St James’ Park. To support Jeff and find out more about his challenge visit prostatecanceruk.org/jeffsmarch
Leave a comment