By Brian Bennett
Supporters and friends of Ashington FC successfully completed their annual walk to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK on Saturday.
The group set off from St James’ Park in Newcastle and after calling in at fellow Ebac Northern League clubs Heaton Stannington, Newcastle Benfield and Bedlington Terriers along the way, arrived at Woodhorn Lane during the half time interval of Ashington’s home match against Tow Law.
The group – ‘Wor March for Men’ – have now raised over £20,000 in six years – and this year Colliers manager Ian Skinner walked part of the route with them: “I had some coaching commitments in Portugal last week and when I got back, I checked my diary to see if I could join in with part of the walk,” he said, “It fell quite kindly and linked in with my little lad’s swimming so I managed to get to Newcastle Benfield and met the walkers there. I said I would walk as far as I could until such time as I needed to get to Ashington to prepare for the game (against Tow Law) and I got as far as The Three Horse Shoes – so I did about 17 and a half kilometres with them.”
He continued: “The fans have been brilliant to us this season. They have backed us and supported us in big numbers and I just thought if I could support them in any little way, I would. That was the thought process behind it – I took the family dog along with me – and I enjoyed it to be honest. Prostate Cancer UK is a great cause and what our supporters and friends have raised in six years is magnificent.”