Blistered but elated Jeff completes walk

Hartlepool-born Jeff, known to millions of football fans as the face of Sky’s Soccer Saturday, tonight completed an epic 260-mile journey from Hartlepool to Wembley.

He was joined every step of the way in the Men United March by Russ Green, Hartlepool United chief executive.

They notched up 10 blister-inducing marathon walks in as many days to get from Victoria Park to Wembley Stadium, stopping off at a different club each day.

After crossing the finishing line, a jubilant Jeff told the Mail: “It has been incredible.

“The support we have had from everybody has been tremendous. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”

The event has so far raised more than £255,000 for Prostate Cancer UK.

Jeff has been joined along the way by a string of famous faces and sports stars including Ian Botham, Chris Kamara, Paul Merson and Matt Le Tissier to name a few.

Hartlepool has also been well represented with Pools boss Craig Hignett joining in for one of the days plus H’Angus the monkey mascot.

Philip and Gareth Maidens, brothers of the late Hartlepool United player Michael Maidens, who was tragically killed in a car accident aged just 20 in 2007, also joined in.

Jeff said he had been inspired by walkers in the team who have been affected directly by prostate cancer.

“To talk to them and hear their stories is uplifting and humbling at the same time,” he said.

Amazingly, Jeff said he felt “physically fine” as he approached the finishing line after overcoming a tough time after the first few days.

He said: “Early on it was incredibly difficult because your body is not used to walking 27 miles day after day when you’r esore and blistered and your calves are screaming out to you.

“I didn’t think I was going to be able to make it. After the first three or four days Russ and I struggled big time. Once you get through that barrier, your body accepts it and it adjusts.”

The team walked through hail after catching the tail end of Storm Katie but made it through unscathed. You can sponsor Jeff at www.menunitedmarch.org or text JEFF to 70004 to donate £3.