A football fan took on an 80-mile walking challenge around football stadiums in the North West - including the home of Chester FC - in support of two friends with terminal illnesses.

David Hill, 53, became part of Aston Villa Fans and Friends through Twitter 18 months ago where the love of football brought the friends together.

Now the group has been taking part in a relay between all 92 football league grounds in aid of supporting the families of the terminally ill friends.

David, from West Kirby, said: “We have a WhatApp group with 12 of us in from all over England and whenever anyone has a problem we are always there to support each other.

“In the group we have two of our friends, both under 40, that have been diagnosed with terminal illnesses.

“One has cancer and one has a fibrosis of his lungs.”

Aston Villa super fan, David Hill, took on an 80-mile walking challenge in support of football fans with terminal illness

Aston Villa super fan, David Hill, took on an 80-mile walking challenge in support of football fans with terminal illness

David says he originally connected with the two Villa fans through their children.

David said: “They both have kids, ones got a 15-year-old son and the other a three-year-old daughter and I have a 5-year-old daughter.

“The thought of something happening to her strikes the fear of god into me but also, the thought of me being old and missing a lot of her future life is horrible so when they shared their experiences of telling their children that they don’t have long to live I found it so tragic.”

David and the rest of the Villa fans decided they wanted to support the fathers and their families.

He added: “We collectively had the idea of doing something big to raise funds for their families and their futures, so we decided to take part in a relay walk around 92 football clubs.”

David picked up the ‘virtual baton’ at Port Vale on Thursday, June 17 before walking 14 miles to Crewe.

Aston Villa super fan, David Hill, took on an 80-mile walking challenge in support of football fans with terminal illness

Aston Villa super fan, David Hill, took on an 80-mile walking challenge in support of football fans with terminal illness

He stopped at Nantwich and then continued the journey on Friday to Chester.

David said: “But listening to the England vs Scotland game zapped my energy and I was doubled over in pain from my arthritic knee so after a 21 mile walk I crashed at Chester.”

On Saturday, David began his 15 mile walk to Tranmere’s Prenton Park.

He said: “The greeting at Tranmere was amazing.

“Nicola Palios got wind of our story and got in touch with the staff at Tranmere to offer me a warm welcome.

“It was just brilliant. They had the red carpet rolled out, I was taken pitch side, I got to see the manager’s office and have photos taken.

“I even saw the home changing room and started chatting to Shaun Teale, the Villa and Tranmere legend on Twitter, in an effort to promote the donations page!”

Aston Villa super fan, David Hill, took on an 80-mile walking challenge in support of football fans with terminal illness

Aston Villa super fan, David Hill, took on an 80-mile walking challenge in support of football fans with terminal illness

David continued his stadium tour and headed over the water to begin his walk from Liverpool ferry terminal to Anfield and Goodison stadiums.

“I had the nicest cabbie ever who drove me over to Liverpool.

“I was struggling to get into the back of the taxi because my legs were in agony so when I told him why he told me to halve the bill and donate it,” David said.

David, was joined by his 5-year-old daughter Jeremiah and a fellow Villa van from Wigan for moral support.

“After walking to Anfield we made it to Everton’s ground at around 10pm.

“I stopped there and then the following day I walked from Goodison 16 miles to Wigan where I finished my 80-mile journey and handed the baton over to the next Villa fan.”

Aston Villa super fan, David Hill, took on an 80-mile walking challenge in support of football fans with terminal illness

Aston Villa super fan, David Hill, took on an 80-mile walking challenge in support of football fans with terminal illness

Speaking of the journey David said: “It was emotional to finish but I was ecstatic.

“It’s been a hard six months for all of us, but the lads have been a real pillar of support.

“It’s like we’ve been lifelong friends. We’re all strangers who have never met but at the same time we’re best mates.”

The group set out to raise £2,000 but have since nearly doubled their target.

You can donate to Crowdfunding page here.