NINE SUPPORTERS of Chelmsford City FC will be hiking around 270 miles between Chelmsford and Devon to raise money for local charities.

The sponsored hike, which begins on Saturday March 16 before the Clarets take on Weston-super-Mare AFC, will be raising money for the homelessness organisation, Cool to be Kind, the learning disability charity City of Chelmsford Mencap, and the Chelmsford City FC's own football in the community scheme.

Each day, all nine will walk in relay style throughout the week long walk, where two groups of supporters will each complete a leg of around 18 miles.

It is hoped they will arrive in Torquay, Devon, on March 23, where the Chelmsford City FC away game against Truro City was originally scheduled to be hold. Truro City have however returned to their home grounds in Cornwall, so the walkers will travel by mini-bus there after to watch the match.

Chelmsford City FC boss, Rod Stringer, has shown his support for the walkers, saying: "These boys are what the football club is all about. It's supporters who make a football club. And this time they won't be just going the extra mile. They'll be going the extra 270 miles. It's why I'm proud to be the manager of Chelmsford City."

Jon Read, one of the supporters taking part, said: "We’ve all been delighted with the response from fellow fans, family, friends and through our media outlets.

"Our Just Giving page has quickly reached over £2000 and is growing.

"Our unofficial total is currently standing at £2,700 and I’m very hopeful we can pledge over a thousand pounds to Cool to be Kind, Chelmsford Mencap and CCFC’s Community programmes.

"Last week, we were humbled to receive a staggering donation of £1,000 from an anonymous benefactor, to whom we are incredibly thankful. Gestures like this will keep us all going on those rainy 6am starts when the blisters are kicking in.

"Two local businesses, Premier Print and Promotion of Feering, and Endeavour Drilling Ltd have kindly sponsored some fetching t-shirts for us, so at least we might look the part on the outside."

The team have all been training to prepare for the treck. A small send off will be held at 2pm at the Melbourne Stadium gates on March 16, to wish them well before the walk.

Cool to be Kind founder Brian McGovern, said: "For the lads to undertake this challenge in our name and other great causes' is brilliant and we will be checking their progress daily and updating our website at www.c2bk.co.uk."

Grace Lidstone from City of Chelmsford Mencap said: "We are very grateful to Chelmsford City Supporters for choosing to support City of Chelmsford Mencap on their ‘Stairway to Devon’.

"We will use the donation to fund our Discover Health initiative, which provides fully accessible and adapted sport and exercise courses for people with a learning disability.

"I’m sure our exercise participants will be inspired by the ‘Stairway to Devon’ walkers. All our members are looking forward to following the walkers’ progress on social media and will be sending lots of encouraging messages."

To make a donation, visit the Just Giving page at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/andy-abbott