Phil walks tall for Jen

You have to hand it to Stalybridge Celtic goalkeeping coach Phil Jackson who has embarked on an epic challenge in memory of his late wife Jen.

By Tony Bugby

Phil and a group of friends are tackling the Greater Manchester Ringway, a 200-mile (322 km) walking trail along the county’s boundary, between June 11-25.

The fundraiser – called Ova The Hills – is a nod to the age of the hikers, who have an average age of 67, as well as name of the anatomy that the disease affects.

They are raising funds for Cancer Research UK after Jen died in June 2025 following a six-year battle against ovarian cancer.

And Phil, 66, who played for Cheadle Town, Altrincham, Ashton United, Rhyl, Mossley, Irlam and Abbey Hey, has been ‘overwhelmed’ by the support he has received, especially from within football.

Curzon Ashton loaned their mini- bus to provide back-up for the 15-day event with their director Syd White walking much of the route.

And the owners at Stalybridge Celtic, where Phil has been goalkeeping coach for eight years, made a sizeable donation to his fundraiser.

Indeed, the £10,000 fundraising target was smashed even before the walkers set off from Romiley, the district of Stockport where Phil lives, on Thursday, June 11 with the walkers now setting a revised figure of £15,000.

“The fundraising is only one part of it,” explained Phil. “It is also about raising awareness of the early signs of ovarian cancer.

“Ironically, we are a bunch of retired blokes walking 200 miles in 15 days for a women’s charity.

“It will also be poignant as among the walkers are a number of cancer survivors.”

Phil, who has been goalkeeping coach for Abbey Hey and latterly Stalybridge Celtic, came up with the idea of the challenge while visiting his stepdaughter who lives in Perth, Australia. Proud

“I was walking along a deserted beach and felt good physically and thought a walk would be a good fundraiser.

“When I came home, I was told by my friend Andy Walker about the GM Ringway which seemed a great challenge as it can be split into manageable sections.”

Phil, a former cricketer for Denton West where he was also club chairman for a time, has been planning the walk since January with cricketing friend Simon Lowndes co-ordinating the logistics.

The walk will finish back in Romiley on June 25, the first anniversary of Jen’s death.

“She’d probably be shaking her head but deep down she’d be really proud of it,” said Phil when asked what he thought Jen would think of the challenge.

And looking back, Phil added Jen’s cancer diagnosis came as a bolt from the blue.

TOGETHER: Phil Jackson and his group of walkers

“She was quite healthy or so we thought. She was only 56 years old,” he said.

“It’s not an immediate diagnosis, it’s done in steps and you start to think the worst and then eventually it was the worst-case scenario.

“But she was so courageous, she didn’t let the cancer diagnosis change her.”

Phil said he was determined to raise awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer and vital funding for Cancer Research UK.

Symptoms include frequently having a swollen or pain in the stomach, feeling bloated, no appetite or feeling full quickly after eating and an urgent need to pee or needing to pee more often.

As for the challenge, Phil added: “With Jen’s memory guiding us, every step carries meaning.

“The challenge is not just about the distance covered, but about turning grief into something positive, raising awareness, supporting vital charities, and helping ensure that fewer families have to experience the same loss.”