SUPERFIT teacher Ian Hornett is set to walk 15 marathons in 15 days, visiting football grounds along the way.

Mr Hornett, 53, will start the 400-mile March for Men challenge on June 2 in aid of Prostate Cancer UK.

His wife, Angela, is chief executive of the charity and Ian, of Mile End Road, Colchester, is at higher risk of getting prostate cancer as his father Tom, a police officer in Colchester and his grandfather, also called Tom, lost their lives to it.

Angela will also be joining Ian for three days of the epic walk.

Ian said: “My dad died of prostate cancer in November 2013 and my granddad died of it also which makes me and my son in the high risk category.

“As far as I know I haven’t got it at the moment, but I have regular checks.

“I just thought it was a fantastic thing to do.”

The walk sets off from Exeter City FC and visits more than 40 football clubs, heading up the west of England via Bristol and Stoke and through Merseyside and Manchester.

It then cuts across the country ending at the home of Championship high flyers Newcastle.

Joining the route will also be club chairmen, chief executives, managers, League Manager’s Association members, former players and commercial sponsors to raise further awareness and funds.

Ian, who previously taught at Gosbecks Primary School in Colchester and now does supply teaching, took part in the last marathon of the challenge last year alongside Angela.

He added: “It was a great experience last year and there were lots of stories about prostate cancer.

“It really was very inspiring.”

Last year’s event was also led by Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling who walked ten marathons in ten days from his beloved Hartlepool United to Wembley Stadium.

Sports celebrities including those from his Soccer Saturday team and cricket legend Sir Ian Botham also took part in some of the walk to give everyone a boost.

That experience, which raised £420,000, inspired him to take the challenge to a whole new level this year.

Ian, who gave up full-time teaching to concentrate on writing his first fiction book, said he is taking preparation in his stride.

He added: “I have been walking regularly. I take every opportunity I can. I have been doing ten to 15 miles at weekends.

“I don’t know what walking that distance 15 consecutive days is going to be like.

“I am hoping the momentum will kick in.”

The Colchester United fan said children Abbey, 23, and Joe, 18, were being supportive.

Angela said: “After his heroic efforts last year, I’m proud and delighted to welcome back Jeff Stelling for his second March for Men for Prostate Cancer UK.

“His road to Wembley last year was long and winding, and a massive challenge both physically and mentally, but it was a truly unbelievable achievement which raised a huge amount of awareness not to mention vital funds in the fight against this deadly disease.”

To sponsor Ian go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Ian-Hornett.

Follow him on Twitter at @Iancolufan