Around the Grounds in 14 days: Day one

Today, the chairman of The Benevolent, Chris Porter, set off on a challenge to visit all 91 of the UK’s league football grounds in 14 days without a car to raise funds for the drinks industry charity.

The Around the Grounds in 14 Days challenge will see Chris use only a combination of train, tram and pedal-bike to visit each of the UK’s league football grounds, starting today at Norwich City Football Club, and finishing at Crystal Palace Football Club on Sunday 25 May.

The challenge has already raised nearly £6,000 for the charity which supports members of the drinks industry in need. To make a donation, click here.

The drinks business will be posting daily updates as Chris makes his way around the UK.

Scroll through to see some snaps of his first steps from Norwich early this morning….  

After leaving Norwich, Chris made his way to the grounds of Ipswich Town FC, where we are told he “had one of the finest croissant he has had in years” at its train station, before making his way to Colchester United’s stadium.

Here, Chris was warmly welcomed by the media manager of Colchester United, Matt Hudson, who generously donated a signed shirt in support of the challenge.

With no time to spare, Chris made his way to the grounds of Southend United FC where he posed for a quick snap, before hightailing it to the home of West Ham FC in east London. Trips to Dagenham and Redbridge, Leyton FC and Gillingham FC are set to be ticked off his list later today. Tomorrow Chris will visit all the grounds in London with The Benevolent’s chief executive, David Cox, set to meet him at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge.

Check back tomorrow for pictures and updates on the next leg of Chris’s journey.