JEFF STELLING is ready for the off. He’s a Hartlepool United fan in Darlington, about to walk 27 miles.

Martin Gray, the Darlington boss, saw him off this morning. “I normally walk about three miles an hour,’’ said Stelling. “It’ll be about 35 miles an hour getting out of Darlington!’’

Sky Sports presenter Stelling made it to Victoria Park, home of Pools – after making a slight detour past his childhood home – in front of crowds of supporters along Clarence Road.

Tomorrow he has to do the same distance again, going from Emirates Durham to St James Park, Newcastle via Sunderland’s Stadium of Light.

It will complete his latest epic challenge in aid of Prostate Cancer, walking 15 marathons in 15 days from St James Park, Exeter to the other St James’.

He said: “This year’s route gives us an opportunity to go to parts of the country that we’ve not been to before and to spread the word to people who maybe didn’t hear that message as loudly last time round.

“So having started at Exeter we have been heading north relentlessly and ending in St James’ Park, Newcastle one of the great football grounds, where I know we will get a fantastic welcome from all Geordies.”

He aims to raise £500,000 and is well on the way. Amid a stop at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium, where he was met by World Darts champion Glen Durrant and joined for the second half of the walk by new Pools’ boss Craig Harrison, he said: “It will take us about 11 hours to walk from Darlington to Hartlepool, in that time 11 men in the UK will die of Prostate Cancer.

“Next time you take your seat in here, look around, and work out how many men in here will suffer from Prostate Cancer.’’

He was joined all the way by around 40 fundraisers, some of them suffering themselves. Kevin Webber is suffering from terminal Prostate Cancer and walked every day.

“He’s an inspiration,’’ said Stelling. “But he wants to give up his time to help raise the profile of the illness that is killing him so that his sons have a better chance of survival.’’

Bob Jefferson, 72, was diagnosed in 2010. “My longest walk was up to 15 miles – I’d like to think I’m active. I play bowls and the bowls club last week donated £10 a man so I’ve got to finish it now!”

Tomorrow's (Friday, June 16) final leg starts at 8am and Paul Collingwood, Paul Merson and Jim Montgomery will be alongside him.

To support Jeff, and find out more about his challenge, visit prostatecanceruk.org/jeffsmarch