Something to Shout about as Ian Darler, Cambridge United’s stadium manager, completes 3,229 miles

Ian Darler, Cambridge United’s stadium manager and head groundsman, completed his year-long challenge to walk the equivalent distance of London to Qatar before the World Cup kicked off.

He has been raising money for Shout 85258, Cambridge United’s mental health charity partner. He finished at the Parker’s Piece football monument last Saturday (November 19).

Ian, whose 2019 book Life’s a Pitch also deals with his mental health struggles, said: “I started it in October of last year, knowing that I’d got to walk 3,229 miles.

“What inspired the walk was just under two years ago, I had a close friend who took his own life a day after I was speaking to him, and I just thought, ‘Could I do anything to make people aware that it’s OK to talk when you’re struggling?’ It’s been incredible the amount of people that have come forward.”

[Read more: Cambridge United stadium manager Ian Darler earns EFL Long Service Award]

Initially, Ian was just intending to do a million step challenge but he completed that within around two months. For the year-long walk, Ian had to walk a minimum of around 8-10,000 yards every day. So far the challenge has raised more than £15,000. To donate, visit bit.ly/3UZH04W.