Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling battles elements on latest leg of epic walking challenge

Hartlepool’s most famous son came up against torrential rain and strong winds in the fifth leg of his journey from Exeter to Newcastle.

The Sky Sports presenter is walking 15 marathons in 15 days in aid of Prostate Cancer UK, a year after taking part in 10 marathon walks for the charity.

Today, Jeff and his team of walkers went from Stoke to Crewe via Port Vale.

He was provided with his most challenging conditions yet, but Jeff ultimately proved to be more thrown by his beloved Hartlepool United than the weather.

He said: “We had to deal with torrential rain for most of the day and pretty serious winds, so it was tough.

“It’s the wettest day we have had across both years of the walks. You’re never going to get ideal conditions, though, and just have to get through it.

“Finding out goalkeeper Trevor Carson had left Hartlepool United was a much bigger blow!”

Legendary goalkeeper Gordon Banks – who won the World Cup with England in 1966 – was among those to set the walkers on their way before they took in the Staffordshire countryside.

Jeff is now a third of the way there, and with over £160,000 raised for Prostate Cancer UK so far, is hoping he can hit his target of £500,000.

He added: “I’ve been looking for landmarks, and going through 100 miles was a big one. Now I’m a third of the way through, which is another little target ticked off.

“We’ve raised a lot of money so far, which is great, and hopefully a lot of awareness as well.”

Jeff will tomorrow travel from Chester to Liverpool with football favourites including Robbie Fowler, Jamie Carragher, Ian Snodin and Charlie Nicholas.

For more information and to support Jeff, visit marchformen.org/jeffsmarch.