Chorley's former Preston defender Scott Leather to raise funds for NHS by running 100km in seven days

The former Preston North End centre half – who made two appearances for the Lilywhites in the Championship in 2011 – has endured a strange season to say the least.

Having scored in the play-off semi-final against Spennymoor to help Chorley on their way to promotion last season, the 27-year-old was looking forward to taking on the challenge of the National League.

However, a troublesome groin injury limited him to just eight appearances in the first seven months of the campaign.

He has had to sit in the stands and kick his heels while his team-mates struggled to come to terms with the higher level – stuck at the bottom of the table.

Leather did manage to recover in time to make a return for the Magpies’ home clash against Chesterfield in early March.

Unfortunately, that would prove to be the final game of the season as coronavirus brought a halt to football.

Earlier this month, clubs voted to officially end the season and start preparing for the start of the next one.

Having worked so hard to get back to fitness, Leather is a little frustrated to see the campaign come to an end, but accepts that the game is secondary, considering what is going on in the wider world.

In a bid to make sure he is in the best possible shape for the start of next season, Leather has pledged to run 100km in seven days next month – and raise money for the NHS at the same time.

“It has been frustrating sitting in the stands this season and not being able to help,” said Leather.

“I got myself fit and then this (coronavirus) happened.

“I’ve not really played for a long time with the injury so I thought I would get some miles in my legs by doing this challenge.

“I am doing it with my friend Andy Halls, who plays for Curzon Ashton.

“We will obviously keeping to the social distancing rules and we set a target of £2,000 but we have already smashed that.”

Despite the season having ended early, the clubs in the National League are set to vote on whether promotion or relegation will be upheld or decide whether to null and void the season.

Chorley are in favour of the latter and Leather added: “I think for a club like Chorley who are still part-time, going into that league, you do well to stay up.

“Obviously, you aim as high as you can but it’s always going to be a struggle when you’re coming up against full-time clubs and that’s how it was.”

If you would like to sponsor Leather, then please visit justgiving.com/fundraising/andy-hallspt. Already the pair have raised more than £3,000.