Charity walkers on course

A group Middlesbrough fans are taking on the toughest walk of their lives as they make their way to Sunday's fixture on foot to help raise money for charity.

The quartet - Jeff Patterson, Paul Brand, Rob Blanchard and Paul Hudson - set off on the 256 mile trip on Saturday night after Middlesbrough's home game with Aston Villa and they were still on target to arrive in time for kick-off at the Boleyn Ground on Wednesday afternoon.

A tired Jeff said: "I would be lying if I said I was feeling fine, but the Boro and making the charities happy is helping to drive us on to get to the end. We're looking forward to sitting down, taking our boots and having a nice pint near the ground."

The walk is in support of the NSPCC, The Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK and The Finlay Cooper Fund, a charity set up by ex-Middlesbrough star Colin Cooper.

The group have a mobile phone, which fans can ring to offer them encouragement and support. The number is 07905 153709.

For more information on the work on instructions on how to donate visit www.boro2upton.org