HE ran to every football stadium in the Premier League, and now Saints legend Francis Benali has set his sights on a Hampshire hospital.

Fresh from running 1,000 miles around all 20 top league grounds for charity, the former Saints star is kicking off an open day at Southampton General Hospital tomorrow.

He will be at the hospital to greet visitors and join in activities at the sixth annual open day, along with pilots and paramedics from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.

As previously reported, footballing heavyweights such as Alan Shearer and Matt Le Tissier turned out in support of Benali at various points during his mammoth mission, which raised more than £140,000 for Cancer Research UK.

Bev Davies, open day co-ordinator, said: “We are delighted Franny will be joining us this year, particularly as it is so soon after his remarkable fundraising efforts through Benali’s Big Run, and we look forward to getting him involved with some of the day’s events.

“The hospital open day is a fantastic opportunity for people to learn more about health and research and participate in some fun activities.”

More than 100 activities and stalls are on offer, giving visitors a behind-the-scenes look at what goes on within the hospital.

Families can also make friends with the dogs used in the ‘Pets as Therapy’ programme, pretend to be a surgeon, play stem cell pinball and take a trip through a giant inflatable pair of lungs.

And there is plenty on offer for children, including a teddy bear hospital, a giant game of Operation and the chance to have your arm plastered.

The open day takes place from 11am to 3pm and also incorporates University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust’s annual meeting.

Parking is free throughout the day and for more details visit uhs.nhs.uk or email openday@uhs.nhs.uk.