Gillingham FC fan follows fundraiser with Sky Sports' Gillette Soccer Saturday presenter Jeff Stelling with trek to Charlton Athletic's The Valley for Prostate Cancer UK
12:50, 14 March 2022
updated: 13:43, 14 March 2022
A football fan is ditching the supporters' bus and will be walking 28 miles to an away game instead.
Aptly named Justin Foote will be making his way from Priestfield Stadium for Gillingham FC's clash with Charlton tomorrow.
The trek will be in aid of Prostate Cancer UK after Justin suffered a cancer scare himself in June 2020 and then lost a close friend to the disease the following year.
He has already raised more than £15,000 for the charity and previously joined Sky Sports' Jeff Stelling on the March for Men marathon walk for the cause.
Footballers Micky Hazard, David Seaman, Francis Benali and Sir Trevor Brooking as well as presenters Chris Kamara and Bianca Westwood also took part.
Justin, who lives in Holly Blue Drive, Iwade, also walked from Rainham Cricket Club to the St Lawrence Ground in Canterbury for another fundraiser in July 2021.
Explaining why he does the walks, the 47-year-old who works in Dartford, said: "In June 2020, it was thought that I had possible low level Prostate Cancer after a routine blood and urine test at the London Bridge Hospital.
"A very close family friend who is like a dad to me was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer and sadly passed away so I want to raise further awareness and essential funds to help beat a disease that kills one man every 45 minutes in the UK."
Justin, who grew up in Rainham and is a life-long Gills fan, has regularly been walking 30 to 40 miles a week in preparation for his latest challenge, and often strolls 15 miles to home games.
The former youth team player, who also worked at the club in the 1990s, will be travelling with his friend Roy Vesey and the duo will leave Priestfield at 8am and walk through the Medway Towns to Charlton via Gravesend, Dartford, Bexleyheath and Welling.
He will be wearing a Prostate Cancer UK t-shirt and Gillingham FC shorts – and is encouraging drivers to give him a toot of support if they see him along the way.
Justin aims to arrive at The Valley at 5pm ahead of the kick-off at 7.45pm. The Sky Bet League 1 fixture was originally due to take place in December but had to be postponed because of Covid cases.
Matt Holdstock, sport engagement manager at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “Brilliant supporters like Justin do so much to raise the profile of prostate cancer across football, educating people about the risk and also raising key funds to help beat this disease.
“We’re hugely grateful for his efforts for many years and all of us at the charity wish him the best of luck on his walk.”
To sponsor Justin click here.
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