A lifelong Chesterfield FC fan is preparing to walk more than 50 miles from his home in Staffordshire to his team’s stadium for charities close to his heart. 

Ben Kirk will set off on 31 July and walk for three days through the Derbyshire countryside to raise funds for Ashgate Hospice and Macmillan.  

The 28-year-old, who lives in Burntwood, near Lichfield, will arrive at the SMH Group Stadium on 2 August, in time for the Spireites first home match of the new season against Barrow AFC. 

He said he wanted to raise funds in memory of various people close to him who have been touched by the hospice, including his grandmother Margaret Openshaw who was a volunteer before she died in 2018. 

“I’ve wanted to raise money for different charities for a while and finishing in Chesterfield made Ashgate an obvious choice,” Ben said. 

“Having family members volunteer at or receive care from Ashgate Hospice it felt even more fitting. 

“Chesterfield is where all my family is from and so the Spireites are my team. I’ve been a fan since I was little and have been attending games ever since. 

“What could be better than walking through the Staffordshire and Derbyshire countryside on a summer’s day in August?” 

The walk, which Ben has called “Home to Home”, will take him through Uttoxeter, Ashbourne, and Matlock, before arriving in Chesterfield, and will include overnight stays along the way. 

This is Ben’s latest challenge having previously taken part in a 40-mile overnight walk, a five-day Lake District trek, a “Lost in the UK” navigation challenge, and a 24-hour drive to every Premier League stadium. 

He has set a starting fundraising target of £500 but hopes to raise as much as possible, with all proceeds being split between Ashgate Hospice and Macmillan. 

Ben said: “I have a track record of doing ‘different’ charity events. I love walking and it has been a passion of mine since I was little. 

“I am fully aware of the physical demands that are ahead of me; blisters, aches and pains will be prominent I can imagine. I will definitely invest in some better footwear than I wore last time! 

“There will be times along the walk when it’s a struggle but people going through cancer treatment face far greater physical challenges, that gives me the inspiration to keep pushing in order to reach the end goal!” 

Ashgate must raise £11 million each year to keep its services running – with less than a third of funding coming from NHS budgets.   

Right now, the hospice can only afford to open 15 of its 21 inpatient beds. 

To support Ben’s fundraiser and make a donation to Ashgate Hospice and Macmillan head over to his JustGiving page. 

Would you be interested in fundraising for Ashgate Hospice? Find out more on how you can organise your own fundraiser for the charity.