TWO opposing football families from Goostrey and Holmes Chapel are putting rivalry to one side and walking 40 miles to see their teams play each other in order to raise money for charity.

Keen Stoke fan Dominic Smith has organised the walk from Manchester City’s Etihad Campus to the Britannia Stadium, where the two teams play each other on Saturday, December 5, after his true blue girlfriend Hannah Jackson successfully underwent open heart surgery in July after finding out she had a hole in her heart when she was a teenager.

The 40-mile overnight trek, which has been dubbed the “Trail of Two Cities” is designed to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

That day Stoke City are supporting kits4causes and asking supporters to donate old football kit so the walkers will also be collecting unwanted shirts, shorts and socks along the way

Dom, 23, from Goostrey, has recruited his dad Dave, who has been supporting the Potters for more than 50 years, and Hannah’s father, Dave; brother, Matthew; uncle, Dave Rodger and cousin, Charlotte Rodger, all from Holmes Chapel, who are all season ticket holders at the Etihad Stadium.

“After what happen to Hannah I wanted to do something to support the British Heart Foundation because that kind of miraculous surgery only happens because of the great work they put into research," Dom said.

“I thought a walk like this was a way of not only raising money but also showing that whilst football means so much to both families somethings are much more important than team rivalry.”

Hannah, 22, added: “It is more than three months now since my op and I’m starting to feel like myself again.

“All of what happened to me was only made possible due to the amazing research that the British Heart Foundation does. I cannot even begin to thank them and the doctors and surgeons for all they do.”

The six plan to set off from Manchester on the evening of Friday, December 4, and aim to be in Stoke in good time for the kick off at 12.45pm the next day.

To make a donation visit justgiving.com/TrailCity/