A BOLTON Wanderers fan and staff member is embarking on a marathon challenge in support of cancer research.

For every Whites home match this season, Gerrard Collingborn, aged 21, from Farnworth, is walking from Burnden Park to the Macron stadium and back again.

To celebrate 20 years in the new stadium, his aim is to raise £20,000 for Prostate Cancer research on his self-titled Macron March.

Along with the 12-mile round trip for home games, Gerrard will also be walking to some away matches as the season progresses to help him reach his target.

He said: “It is 20 years since the Reebok, as it was then named, first opened so I thought it would be good to do something to celebrate the anniversary.

“I saw what Jeff Stelling did walking it from Hartlepool to Wembley and felt inspired by him."

In June, Sky Sports presenter Mr Stelling visited the Macron as part of his nationwide March for Men walk which raised £420,000.

“I am also going to walk to some away games too,” said Gerrard. “So far, Preston away is on the list as is Leeds, Burton Albion and both Sheffield clubs.

“Leeds, I expect will take me a couple of days so I will need to be ready for that.

“I am still getting used to the home games but can feel myself getting fitter for each one so I will be ready for the longer away ones.”

“I am a big Wanderers fan and have actually worked at the club in one role or another for the last decade.

“I was only two when the club moved from Burnden so obviously I can’t remember much about it so it is nice to be able to do something like this.”

Gerrard has been a ball assistant, a supervisor, a flag waver and has also helped with the half time entertainment challenges in his time working at the Macron.

On Wanderers’ poor start in their return back to The Championship, Gerrard, who was educated at Cherry Tree Primary School before attending St James’s High School, said: “It has been a difficult start to the campaign, that’s for sure, but there is no need to panic just yet.

“When the fixtures got released before the season started, I knew that we were in for a tough start, and having two points after 11 games is what I actually predicted.

“I think that we have some better fixtures to come so hope we can gain some momentum from them.

“As a fan, the situation we are in is diabolical but as a member of staff, it is more understandable.”

Gerrard says that he has had already had some support on his travels so far this season and welcomes anyone to join in as it progresses.

He said: “It is a good way of keeping fit whilst doing something for a good cause so the more the merrier!”

Research shows that one in eight men will develop prostate cancer at some point in their lifetime.

A JustGiving page has been set up for people to donate to Macron March or they can do so by text.

Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/macron-march2017-18 or donate £5 by texting GCMM96 £5 to 70070.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/macronmarch/