FOOTBALLERS past and present from across the North-East are coming together to take part in a charity walk, with support from Royle Family star Ricky Tomlinson.

Kath Miller, wife of well-respected football scout Tommy and mother of former Hartlepool, Sunderland and Ipswich midfielder Tommy, died last November.

Mr Miller senior has long arranged the three-mile walk, from Peterlee through Castle Eden Dene, for the Peterlee and District Lions Club. The event is to raise funds for the Alice House Hospice in Hartlepool, were Mrs Miller was cared for in her final days, and has been given the backing of TV funny man Mr Tomlinson, who said: “Kath was positive to the end. She took everything in her stride. She did not sit moping about what she had.”

Staff and players from Spennymoor – where Mr Miller junior is assistant manager and his dad is head of recruitment, will be joined by players from Hartlepool United and Darlington, as well as Quakers’ boss Martin Gray. Former Premier League players Craig Hignett, Paul Kitson, Ian Hart, and Kevin Richardson are taking part, while the walk will be started by Sunderland legend Kevin Ball.

The walk starts from the Hearts of Oak, Peterlee, at 10am on Sunday, May 7, with registration from 9.30am.

For more information call 07970 189681.