Jeff Stelling, Hartlepool United’s honorary club president, has been honoured for his ‘unbelievable’ fundraising walk for Prostate Cancer UK at the Just Giving Fundraising Awards.

The long-standing Sky Sports Soccer Saturday host and Pools fan was named Celebrity Fundraiser of the Year at the event at The Brewery in London after completing his March for Men, an epic 15 marathons in 15 days from Exeter City to Newcastle United in June.

Stelling teamed up with Prostate Cancer UK to walk 400 miles from St James Park to St James’ Park from June 2 to June 16 visiting more than 40 football clubs and raising more than £370,000 in the fight against the most common cancer in men.

Having also strolled from Hartlepool to Wembley the previous year, Stelling’s fundraising total is now a staggering £800,000 and he scooped the accolade ahead of film star Tom Hardy and fellow television personality Denise van Outen.

Stelling was joined in London by David Stott and his uncle Anthony Hall, the duo from Darlington having raised more than £10,000 between them by marching the final two days – Darlington to Hartlepool and Durham to Newcastle.

David’s dad was diagnosed with the disease last year.

Stelling was joined by around 650 walkers during his amble up the country and during a star-studded 15 days strolled alongside Burnley manager Sean Dyche, met World Cup winning England goalkeeper Gordon Banks, Liverpool legends Phil Thompson, Mark Lawrenson, Robbie Fowler and Jamie Carragher and Manchester footballing royalty Denis Law and Mike Summerbee, two men affected by prostate cancer.

The Northern Echo’s sports editor Nick Loughlin was the only journalist to walk a full day with Stelling and his team, joining them from Blackwell Meadows to Victoria Park.

Stelling said: “I’m proud and honoured to be named as Celebrity Fundraiser of the Year by Just Giving, and accept this award on behalf of every single person that supported me along the way, and continue to do so to this day.

“An award like this reinforces why we took on a second epic challenge, and how hugely important it is to raise money to make a difference to the lives of men and their loved ones.

“Since deciding to take on these challenges, I’ve learned so much about prostate cancer, and the devastating effects it has. I’ve met some incredible people along the way and been inspired beyond belief at their stories and positivity while dealing with something so heart-breaking. I take my hat off to them all.

“The awareness raised all the way from Exeter to Newcastle, and from Hartlepool to Wembley last year will also make a massive difference. This wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support of the public, of the clubs and football fans and the passion of the charity to drive this forward. This award is for them all.”

And in 2018 the charity’s March for Men walking programme is bigger than ever with supporters encouraged to sign up for even more local walks across the country, and also encouraged to hold their own marches.

To show your support and get a Prostate Cancer UK ‘Man of Men’ pin badge to wear, text BADGE to 70004 to donate £5* and help stop prostate cancer being a killer. For information about the badge and the charity’s work in football visit prostatecanceruk.org/whostheman.