Former Red Nicky Butt joined 16 trekkers on the two-day challenge which spanned the length of Hadrian’s Wall through glorious Northumbrian countryside and past ancient Roman monuments.

The group set off from Lanercost Priory near Haltwistle early on the morning of Wednesday 10th October.  Led by an experienced guide, they journeyed 15 miles through Northumberland National Park and alongside the most visible sections of the wall across spectacular cliff tops and countryside towards Cawfields Quarry and Haltwistle.

After spending the evening camping in temperatures that dropped as low as -5 degrees, the trekkers set off again, through Housesteads Roman Fort and, 11 miles later, crossed the finish line at Brocolitia.

Following the trek, participants expressed their delight at completing the experience and also at meeting one of their United heroes, Nicky Butt:

“We like walking and we like Manchester United, so putting the two together is an interesting idea,” said David Davies, who took part in the trek with his wife Emer. “It was great meeting Nicky Butt, he’s a Manchester lad, as I am, and he’s everything I expected.”

Emer added, “It was a great opportunity to provide some sponsorship for young people who don’t have the sort of opportunities that we do.  We’d definitely recommend the trek for next year; it’s great fun, it’s healthy and it puts something back into the Club and the community.”

The Manchester United Foundation hosts a trek each year to raise money to support its work across Greater Manchester with underprivileged children.  Participants of the Hadrian’s Wall trek have raised a fantastic £10,000+ for the charity.

John Shiels, chief executive of the Foundation, completed the Hadrian’s Wall challenge and commented, “I’d like to thank everyone who has taken part in this trek.  The money raised will help us to work with youngsters who need motivating and inspiring and it could change their lives for the better.”  He continued, “We’re also really appreciative of what Nicky has done for us because to a lot of the trekkers he is one of their heroes but during the trek he was just one of us, it was fantastic.”

The former Red midfielder himself expressed his enjoyment of the experience: “The trek was brilliant, really rewarding and the group we had was fantastic with a good mixture of characters.  We’ve all had a great time, we’ve enjoyed doing it and the money raised is going to a great cause so thumbs up to everyone involved.”

To view the full gallery of images from the trek please click here to view our Facebook album.