Bristol Rovers favourite Marcus Stewart and former Liverpool and Bradford right-back Stephen Darby's 'March of the Day' got underway this morning alongside a number of ex-players as the pair continue their inspirational effort to raise funds for the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation.
'March of the Day' is a charity event that raises funds for the Foundation and will take place over the next two-and-a-half days as a core team of 16 former players walk from The University of Bradford Stadium to Anfield, a distance of over 175 miles which will take in a total of 17 football stadiums across West Yorkshire and the north-west including Elland Road, Old Trafford, the Etihad and Goodison Park.
Over £100,000 has been raised so far with 50 former players expected to take part in the walk, including Chris Kirkland, Paul Scholes, Dominic Matteo, Jill Scott and Mick McCarthy, alongside an expected total of around 600 people.
Set up in 2018 by Darby and former British Serviceman Chris Rimmer, who both suffer from motor neurone disease (MND), the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation funds and assists research into finding a cure for the disease.
Former Bristol City and Bristol Rovers striker Stewart was diagnosed with MND himself in 2022 and has been a tireless campaigner since his diagnosis with a charity football match at the Memorial Stadium last May a fundraising highlight.
Speaking at the start of the march in Bradford, Stewart told the PA news agency: “It satisfies me that I see people here, that I am part of the process to help people.
“It satisfies me that there is hope for people that can’t be able to walk whether it is they can’t walk or talk. I have a voice still and still quite mobile so the message to them is don’t give up and we are trying our best to find a cure. I am part of that and I am not giving up.
“Players have to look after each other both on the pitch and after you’ve finished. It’s nice that so many ex pros that I have played with and haven’t played with are joining in the fight.
“MND lives with me. I don’t live with MND. As it stands I can do most things.”
Bristol-born, Stewart came through the youth ranks at Rovers and begun his senior career with the Gas while also having a two-year spell at City later in his career. Over 20 years, the former striker made over 500 appearances, scoring 156 goals with the 51-year-old best known in the wider football community for his spells at the likes of Ipswich Town, Sunderland and Huddersfield Town.
Stewart was also assistant manager at Rovers from 2013 until 2018 with the majority of his spell spent alongside Darrell Clarke. The Bristolian is currently Head of Player Development at Yeovil Town.
Donations can be made to the official 'March of the Day' JustGiving page here.
