Charity champ Jeff Stelling '˜humbled' by award nomination

The legendary presenter was nominated by members of the public who found him to be an ‘inspiration’ to people from the town.

Jeff who has completed a gruelling ten marathons in ten days across the length of the country for Prostate Cancer UK said he was delighted with the award.

The Hartlepool United fan said: “It is fantastic to be nominated, I am very humbled.

“I am just in a fortunate position.

“I have had a good life, a good career and I am just in a lucky position to be able to give something back.

“I am proud to be nominated.

“I go back to Hartlepool quite a bit as my mum lives there still and my brother lives there.

“My nephew and niece also live in Billingham.

“It is my home town.”

This year, the Best of Hartlepool competition is being held in association with Niramax and in which Specsavers, Stagecoach North East and Hart Biologicals are category sponsors. We are delighted to have every one of them behind us.

Jeff, who is a long-standing presenter on Soccer Saturday for Sky Sports, said he didn’t see himself as a role model, despite raising £300,000 for Prostate Cancer UK.

Clocking in at 262 miles, Jeff’s Men United March saw the 61-year-old check in on 32 football clubs, joined by famous friends and colleagues and people affected by prostate cancer.

Charitable Jeff said: “I never considered myself to be a role model, I have plenty of flaws.

“I am not a role model, I just got lucky.

“I am lucky to have the opportunities that I have got and I try to live life in a positive way.”

The awards asked readers to send The Mail their nominations by April 2 for a range of categories including Role Model and Fundraiser of the Year.