A GROUP of over 100 Leeds United fans have raised over £60,000 in aid of two charities and in memory of Flintshire footballer Gary Speed.
2022 marks 11 years since the former Wales international footballer and manager took his own life, aged 42 years old.
In his heyday, Speed was a much-loved and hard-working midfielder for Leeds United, Everton, Newcastle United, Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield United.
Read more: Anfield Road mural unveiled in honour of legendary Flintshire footballer Ian Rush
Speed, born in Mancot, also earned 85 caps for Wales and is high up on the Premier League's all-time appearance-makers with 535 of those to his name.
In tribute to one of their heroes, Leeds United fans have completed a 92-mile charity walk from Speed's hometown in Flintshire to Leeds' home ground; Elland Road.
The fans set off from the Gary Speed Park in Aston, close to his childhood home on Thursday morning (May 26).
Over the next three days, the group passed through Ellesmere Port, Frodsham, Warrington, Altrincham, Manchester and Oldham on their way to arriving at Elland Road on Sunday morning.
PIC: Former Premier League and Wales midfielder Gary Speed.
Upon their arrival at the club's home ground, Leeds United opened up the Gary Speed Suite to 'feed and water' the dedicated fundraisers.
They have raised over £60,000 for the Andy's Man Club and Samaritans UK charities in memory of Speed.
Organisers The Square Ball wrote: "Some seriously battered and bruised bodies among the charity walking cohort this morning after covering 92 miles in four days.
"Thanks to your incredible generosity, we have now passed SIXTY THOUSAND POUNDS in donations. Wow."
A big thank you to Leeds United who have opened up the Gary Speed suite to feed and water our exhausted walkers, and paid for the coaches to get us to the start line. 👏 pic.twitter.com/JqFRF0WPoh
— The Square Ball (@TheSquareBall) May 29, 2022
Even Leeds United defender Liam Cooper hailed the group's efforts on Twitter, via video he said: “I’m just so proud of you all, I can’t really imagine the mental and physical pain you have been through but you got there in the end.”
“I’m sure Gary would be up there, very proud and you’ve done his memory very well today, so thank you very much.”
You can still donate to the cause by visiting the fundraising page here.
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