DEPARTING Northern League chairman Mike Amos described the finale of his Last Legs Challenge, which hit its £25,000 target tonight (Wednesday, May 4), as “the perfect ending”.

To mark his last year in the role, which he has held for 20 years, Northern Echo columnist Mr Amos walked to all 44 grounds of the teams in the Ebac Northern League, following routes of about 12 miles each time, clocking up a total of 510 miles over the season.

In a happy twist, the final walk was to the stadium of his hometown team, Shildon AFC, who finished as league champions for the first time since 1940.

With the fundraising total standing at just over £23,500 prior to kick-off, the club’s manager, Gary Forrest, pledged to top it up to £25,000.

Mr Amos, who turns 70 this year, expressed his pride at presenting the Northern League champions trophy to Shildon AFC and said: “The person who wrote this script believes in a happy ending.

“For me to present that trophy is incredible. This is perfect.

“The last walk was always going to be Shildon because this is my home town.

“The whole exercise has ticked so many boxes.

“It has been brilliant."

Half of the money will go to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, while the other will be donated in £1,000 chunks to charities based in the communities of Northern League teams, which will be chosen later this month.

Some of the most memorable occasions from the challenge include breaking his arm after tripping on a kerb on the way to Alnwick’s home ground, last August, and walking 16.9 miles instead of ten whilst using a mobile phone app to direct him to Birtley.

Although he has been chairman for 20 years, Mr Amos, who now lives in Richmond, North Yorkshire, has been involved with The Northern League since 1986.

He said: “It is time I did something else.

“Things have changed so much – the game itself and the administration.

“My predecessor did not even own a typewriter.”

To donate towards the Last Legs Challenge, visit justgiving.com/lastlegschallenge or make cheques payable to The Northern League and send, by post, to 8 Oakenfields, Middleton Tyas, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 6SD.