A DORSET man has completed a 600-mile walking tour of the English Premier League stadiums to raise money for charity.

Stuart Dawson, aged 63, took on the challenge and managed to raise a whopping £9,000 for the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society’s Stop MS Appeal after seeing the impact the condition had on a close friend of his.

MS is a condition that can affect the brain and spinal cord, causing a wide range of potential symptoms, including problems with vision, arm or leg movement, sensation or balance.

It's a lifelong condition that can sometimes cause serious disability.

There are 130,000 people in the UK with MS and 7,000 are diagnosed each year. The Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Stop MS appeal is hoping to raise £100m with the aim of finding treatments for everyone with MS by 2025.

Stuart, of Broadmayne, says a number of his family and friends have MS, including his good friend Nick, 55, of Dorchester, who he first met in 1994 when they played for rival football teams. Their friendship developed when they both worked for their local council from 2005 onwards.

Nick was diagnosed with progressive MS in 2014 and Stuart says his mobility has deteriorated since then.

Nick was advised in 2020 that there was medication available that would help with his condition, but it subsequently transpired that the Clinical Commissioning Group were unable to fund the treatment. Nick believes that if he lived in a neighbouring county, the cost of the treatment would be funded.

Stuart's tour started in Newcastle on August 14 and too place over 21 days, finishing in Bournemouth on September 3.

Stuart said that he was "recovering well from my exertions” after suffering from injuries including shin splints and infected feet during the 21 day challenge.

He said: “If I’m honest, I had self doubts as to whether I would be able to complete my tour but I suppose it’s remarkable what a bit of stubbornness, competitiveness and perseverance can achieve. I also found comfort and encouragement in my faith.”

During the tour some Clubs gave Stuart gifts - Everton FC gave a signed pennant and Southampton FC a match ball. At his final ground, AFC Bournemouth legend Steve Fletcher arranged for him to be presented with a signed match shirt from Dominic Solanke and he said he will be looking to auction these items to raise further funds for the charity.

Stuart added that “he had been blown away by the generosity of people and would like to thank everyone for their kind donations."

Anyone interested in donating can still do so by visiting: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/stuart-dawson8