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Former footballers complete March of the Day trek for MND

PA Media Former football player Stephen Darby, who has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease, setting off from Bradford City Football Club's Valley Parade stadium for the 'March of the Day' trekPA Media
Stephen Darby led the march from Bradford City's Valley Parade ground

Former footballers completed a 178-mile march in aid of people with motor neurone disease (MND).

The trek, led by former players Marcus Stewart and Stephen Darby, who both have the illness, raised £130,000.

The three-day 'March of the Day' from Bradford to Liverpool ended on Sunday at Anfield.

Ex-Huddersfield Town player Mr Stewart said the marchers were "trying our best to find a cure" for the disease.

Former Liverpool player Mr Darby's wife Steph Houghton, who is captain at Manchester City, brought her teammates to join him at the finish line.

England star Chloe Kelly was also there to show her support.

During the trek, a core of 16 former footballers were joined by ex-players including Paul Scholes, Jill Scott and Jamie Redknapp.

They had to endure wind and rain as they made their way from Bradford City's Valley Parade stadium.

Scholes, who trekked over the Pennine hills, told BBC Breakfast: "What little support we can give is important to everyone."

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Motor neurone disease

PA Media Former rugby player Rob Burrow with former football players Marcus Stewart and Stephen Darby, who have all been diagnosed with motor neurone diseasePA Media
Ex-rugby player Rob Burrow joined Marcus Stewart and Stephen Darby at the start
  • MND is an uncommon life-limiting condition of the brain and nerve cells that predominantly affects people in their 60s and 70s, although it can affect adults of all ages.
  • Symptoms develop gradually and include weakness in ankles or legs, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, weak grip and weight loss.
  • There is currently no cure, but treatments can reduce the impact and some people live with the condition for many years.

Source: NHS

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Former rugby league player Kevin Sinfield also joined the march on Saturday.

He has been raising awareness of the disease since the diagnosis of former teammate Rob Burrow.

The funds raised by March of the Day will go to the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation, which supports people living with the condition and gives grants for medical research.

Mr Darby's diagnosis at 29 cut short a career that had seen him play for clubs including Liverpool, Braford City and Bolton Wanderers.

Mr Stewart, who played for Bristol Rovers, Huddersfield Town, Ipswich Town and Sunderland, was diagnosed with MND in September 2022.

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