1.2 million steps equalling 678 miles is the latest walking challenge for Cambridge Utd FC’s Stadium Manager Ian Darler, this time in aid of local mental health charity Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and South Lincolnshire (CPSL) Mind.

Having previously walked the equivalent of London to Qatar for the 2022 football World Cup, Ian is embarking on another epic charity mileage count as he aims to walk the distance from London to Berlin, the city hosting the Euro 2024 final.

The driving force behind Ian’s fundraising walk, and wishing to support CPSL Mind, is his own previous battles with mental health challenges and how, through the telling of his story, the ongoing support he offers to others.

‘Having personally had depression and PTSD I appreciate how important it is to get help and support and to be able to talk to people about how you are feeling,’ Ian explained.

‘Since my recovery and publication of my book Life’s A Pitch and writing the chapter Life Changing, I have been approached by several people who had been struggling in silence with their own mental health problems and thankfully I have been able to help them in a small way and they are now currently also in a much better place.'

And now Ian wishes to further help others needing support with mental health issues by raising vital funds to support, develop and grow CPSL Mind's services which support local residents across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and South Lincolnshire.

The final stretch of the walk will be to the Cledara Abbey stadium the home of Cambridge United