Rival football fans get together to raise funds

Two rival football fans are set to put their differences aside and come together to walk 92 miles to raise money for charity.

Derby County fan Tony Haslam and his friend Dave Bradbury, who supports Nottingham Forest, will embark on the trek along the Trent & Mersey Canal in March.

Walking entire length

The pair will start at Preston Brook and finish in Shardlow, walking the entire length, and they are aiming to complete the walk in seven days, raising money for Prostate Cancer UK.

Tony, who lives in a boat at Mercia Marina, in Willington met Dave through local walking group Footloose, which Tony has been a member of for around six years, with Tony remarking:

"Last year, me and my partner did a 20 miles walk around Blenheim Palace for breast cancer research and between six of us we raised over £2,000.

Raised over £2,000

“This year I thought it was the men’s turn so decided to raise money in aid of prostate cancer. I also know someone who has just been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

“I have been training, and last week I walked 50 miles and that was over five days just on local routes. I’m finding it okay and I can do 14 miles in a day without stopping now, no problem.

“I’m looking forward to it, it will be a challenge and we will do it whatever the weather, other than floods.

“I really want to get to £1,000 if I can. I’m already thinking about what I can do next. I’m a football fan and I was thinking to tie in with 92 miles, there are 92 clubs in the football league so it would be great to get one footballer from each club to do something for charity. 

“That would obviously take a lot of work though. Dave’s a Forest fan so I’ve threatened to throw him in the river when we get to Shardlow! We are doing this walk to bring clubs and fans together and raise money to fight this illness which is now killing more men than breast cancer is killing women.

“This year more than 11,000 men will die of prostate cancer, that’s more fans going to see Wigan, Brentford and Rotherham each week. So don’t be frightened if you think you have a problem go and see your doctor, and live to see the next game.”

A spokesperson for Derby County rejoined:

“On behalf of DCFC we’d like to wish them the best of luck for the walk. Come on you Rams!” To donate, you can visit Tony and Dave’s JustGiving page.