Stalybridge Celtic coach raises £20k through charity trek

Stalybridge Celtic goalkeeping coach Phil Jackson has completed a remarkable walking challenge in honour of his late wife Jen, raising over £20k for charity in the process. 

Along with a group of friends, Phil recently tackled the gruelling 200-mile Greater Manchester Ringway challenge, which takes walkers around the perimeter of the county. 

After losing Jen last year following a six-year battle with ovarian cancer, Phil set out to raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK, with the total currently standing at a whopping £22,200. 

The fundraiser - dubbed ‘Ova The Hills’ - ran between June 11 and June 25, and was named in a tribute to the group’s age, and the area the disease affects. 

Phil, who featured for both Mossley and Ashton United during his playing career, says he has been blown away by the support he has received so far: 

“I never imagined when I first thought of doing an event to raise money and mark Jen’s passing that it would turn out to be so successful and become as life-changing for everyone who took part,” revealed the 66-year-old. 

“The total is beyond my wildest dreams and is still going up. I think what we were doing just resonated with so many people.” 

The challenge - which poignantly came to a close on the first anniversary of Jen’s death - saw a number of local figures take part, including former Manchester City striker and current Stalybridge Celtic boss Jon Macken.  

Also offering his support was Curzon Ashton director Syd White, who provided transport between various stages along the route. 

Elsewhere, Phil – a former cricketer for Denton West – was also keen to give thanks to former chairman Simon Lowndes, who played a huge part in organising the event: 

“There are far too many people to thank for making this Ova The Hills adventure the triumph it became. To me, whether you walked one mile or the whole 200, you played your part.  

“But it would be remiss of me not to give special mention to our driver, Simon.  

“Without him, his military style timetable, navigational skills and rendez-vous water stops, we wouldn’t have succeeded.” 

While the weather conditions made for a challenging hike, Phil explained that the toughest moments paled into insignificance when he remembered why they were walking: 

“The first two days were unbelievably wet and cold and the last week just so scorching.  

“I think everyone understood that no matter how wet, how tired, or how hot they felt, it was nothing compared to what Jen and so many cancer sufferers go through on a daily basis.”  

Astonishingly, the £10,000 target set out prior to the event was smashed before it even got underway, and there are hopes this figure will continue to rise. 

To donate, visit: 

https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/ova-the-hill2026