Football and rugby league heroes to take on 350-mile walk for MND funds
Heroes from the worlds of football and rugby League are to team up for the 350-mile March of The Day III to raise funds for MND.
For two years, the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation, co-founded by former Bradford City and Liverpool footballer Stephen Darby following his MND diagnosis in 2018, has staged three day walking challenges around football grounds all around the country.
Stephen Darby said the event had already received overwhelming backing.
He said: “The March of the Day events have brought together people, fans and football clubs in an incredible way. Each one raises awareness of MND as well as vital funds for grants and research. The support we’ve had from across the country so far has been unbelievable.
“When those of us living with MND see people walking, fundraising and standing with us, it gives us strength to keep fighting. Together, we can make a real impact – and hopefully one day find a cure.”
The challenges not only raise awareness but also much needed funds to fund research into a cure for Motor Neurone Disease, with £413,000 raised so far.
The Foundation is now supported by another footballer, former Ipswich Town, Sunderland and Huddersfield Town striker Marcus Stewart, also battling MND.
The event – which runs from June 1-6 – is in support of the Foundation and the Leeds Hospitals Charity, who raised £6.8 million to establish the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease, in memory of the Leeds Rhinos legend who died from MND in June 2024.
Sarah Griffin, Director of Engagement, at the Leeds Hospitals Charity said: “March of the Day III is set to be a truly special event, bringing together the football and rugby league communities with one shared goal, to support people living with motor neurone disease and their families.
“Now in its third year, this incredible challenge builds on the huge success of previous events, which have already raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for MND charities.
"This year marks the first time funds raised will support Leeds Hospitals Charity, and we’re incredibly proud to be part of this journey.
"The money raised will support the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease, helping to provide specialist care, fund research and give hope to families right here in Yorkshire.”
The main sponsors of the event are the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) and the British Institute of Fitted Interior Specialists (BIFIS). Over 100 other companies and individuals are supporting the event as stage or walker sponsors.
One core team of 24 walkers, featuring many former players plus others with their own reason to support the MND Community, will complete the first half continuously from Liverpool to Stockport County.
After one night's rest, a second similar core team will complete the route between Stockport County and the Rob Burrow Centre for MND.
The event is open to any other walkers, including many more former football and rugby league players, to join the walk each day. Around 500 people are already signed up to be part of this event.
Among those joining the core teams are Stephen Darby, Marcus Stewart, Steph Houghton, Matt Holland, Chris Kirkland, Jay Spearing, John McGinlay, Stuart Barlow, Martin Kelly, Jeff Whitley, Rickie Lambert, Nathan Clarke, Filipe Morais, Danny Pugh, Ben Parker, Jamie Hoyland, Dominic Matteo, Barrie McDermott and Rob’s wife Lindsey.
Guest walkers already signed up include Paul Scholes, Emile Heskey, Gary Bowyer, Nicky Butt, David May, Gareth Widdop, Leon Pryce, Johnny Lawless, Keith Senior, Martin and Graham Law.
The route includes the following:
· Part 1 – June 1-3 – Liverpool to Stockport County visiting 19 grounds including Everton, Widnes Vikings, Warrington Wolves, St Helens, Wigan Athletic, Preston North End, Burnley, Salford City and Manchester United
· Part 2 – June 4-6 – Stockport County to the Rob Burrow Centre visiting 25 grounds including Manchester City, Huddersfield Town / Giants, Bradford City, Bradford Bulls, Sheffield Wednesday, Sheffield United, Wakefield Trinity, Castleford Tigers, Leeds United and Leeds Rhinos
The Darby Rimmer MND Foundation was established in 2019 with key aims to raise awareness of MND, support families facing the life-changing impacts of the disease and to fund vital research into a cure. To date, they have raised around £3m towards this.
The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease opened in November 2025, and is the first purpose‑built MND centre in the UK dedicated to care, research, education and holistic support.
The centre was made possible thanks to a £6.8 million fundraising campaign led by Leeds Hospitals Charity, supported by more than 17,000 donors. Now the centre is open, money raised will continue to support people living with MND for years to come by funding specialist equipment, family and wellbeing services, therapeutic spaces, and pioneering research programmes.
The event has been arranged by Redwood Events, founded by Mike Wilson and Steve Wood. They have raised more than £1.6 million for charities through sporting challenges over the past 17 years.
Registration for the event closes on April 29. Until them, anyone can sign up with family and friends in groups of up to 6 to complete any of the day time elements of the route. Walkers can register at www.redwoodevents.co.uk/register-for-march-of-the-day-iii/
Donations can be made via the team’s fundraising page: