12 hours ago
Friends and family of former footballer Stephen Darby walk 156 Miles for Motor Neurone Disease
Hundreds have joined a grassroots football tour across the North to raise funds and awareness for Motor Neurone Disease (MND), in support of former footballer Stephen Darby.
Over the weekend, more than 200 people are taking part in the charity walk across the North West and Yorkshire, raising money for the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation.
The 156-mile walk aims to support those living with Motor Neurone Disease and to help fund crucial research into finding a cure.
The event, which starts and ends at Ossett United near Wakefield and includes stops at more than 20 football clubs — among them Leeds United, Farsley Celtic, Bradford City, Bradford Park Avenue, Brighouse Town, FC Halifax Town, Rochdale, Bury, Radcliffe, Horwich RMI, Atherton Collieries, Trafford, Altrincham, Stockport County, Hyde United, Stalybridge Celtic, Droylsden, FC United of Manchester, Oldham Athletic, Longwood, and Huddersfield Town.
Mike Wilson, Derby MND Foundation event lead, said: "We've been trying to emulate the hard work that Rob Burrow, Kevin Sinfield and Doddie Weir have done in rugby, and to get football to recognise MND in the same way — and to support one of their own in Stephen."
He added: "The support we've had in the last two years has been fantastic. We have around 230 people taking part, some walking five miles, others doing 30 or 40.
"Bradford City, where Stephen had such a fantastic career, can't do enough for him. People are really starting to understand just how horrific MND is — and right now, there's no cure and it's underfunded. We have to do more.'
Stephen Darby, who was diagnosed with MND in 2018 and now uses a wheelchair, remains central to the foundation's mission.
Mr Wilson continued: "Stephen's still the driving force behind this,' Wilson said. 'He's still making the decisions and he's just an inspiration to us all.'
Among those taking part was Gary Scott, who played for Altrincham between 2000 and 2008. He walked in memory of two former teammates lost to MND.
"I played with Mark Maddox, who was at Altrincham for 10 years. He handled the illness head on — just like he played," Scott said.
"There's also George Melling. It's unthinkable — two lads from one squad of 16. That's why we do things like this, so we don't forget them and so we keep pushing for a cure.
"The donations are great, but raising awareness is just as important. I only know about MND because of what Mark went through."
Stephen's wife, Steph Houghton, also joined the walk — completing more than 18 miles from Atherton to Altrincham with family members.
"I've not sat down for the last six hours so I might be sore later," she said, 'but it's been a fantastic day. I'm very proud to be able to contribute in some way, because there are some amazing people who've done a lot for the foundation.'
Steph described the support as 'overwhelming' and said it means the world to her and Stephen.
"Sometimes it's hard for us to participate, but for me to do this with the rest of our family — and for Stephen to be at the finish line — is super special. We can't thank everyone enough."
She added: "We're okay. I'm not going to say everything's good, because it's not. Everything changes every day — that's what this condition does. It's forever a challenge.'
"We won't stop until that cure is there. We probably aren't even close, which is disappointing — but we just have to keep doing what we're doing.'
So far the Grassroots Football Tour for MND have raised £25,000.
