SAINTS legend Francis Benali is putting the final preparations together for the challenge of a lifetime as he prepares to take on an epic two-week fundraiser which he hopes will help him raise £1m for Cancer Research UK.

This morning the 47-year-old dad of two will leave the south coast on the 14-day trek that will see him run and cycle between all 44 Premier League and Championship grounds.

As previously reported by the Daily Echo‘Benali’s Big Race’ will see the former Southampton FC player having to cover at least 100 miles a day - running one marathon and then cycling the remaining distance every day.

The challenge will get underway at Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium today when he will be waved off by a crowd of well-wishers including Cherries midfielder and former Southampton player Andrew Surman.

Joining him as he sets off will be Carly Ringrose, a Cancer Research UK nurse working in oncology at Southampton General Hospital.

Carly is one of an 11-strong team of nurses funded by the charity and spends her working days treating cancer patients and delivering early phase trial drugs straight from the lab.

The enormous feat will see Franny weave his way across the country, stopping at every one of the 44 clubs b before he returns home to Southampton.

The final leg will see him run back into the city and through the tunnel of St Mary’s Stadium as more than 30,000 fans pack out the ground as Southampton take on Burnley on Sunday October 16.

It’s Franny’s second fundraising feat in aid of Cancer Research UK – a cause close to his heart. His first challenge in 2014 - running from Newcastle to Southampton via every Premier League club in just three weeks - raised a phenomenal £265,000 for the charity.

He said: “The first challenge was far tougher than I ever imagined, not just physically but mentally and emotionally too. But my pain and suffering was nothing compared to what cancer patients and their families go through every day “Last year, my father-in-law Bill was diagnosed with prostate cancer so I’m even more determined to raise as much money as possible to help conquer this devastating disease.

“I’m hoping to top my previous fundraising total with all the money raised going towards Cancer Research UK’s work into immunotherapy across the UK.

Cancer Research UK has been working on immunotherapy research for many years – including significant work taking place in Southampton - helping to develop more effective treatments that are better able to harness the power of the immune system to kill cancer. Cancer Research UK’s involvement spans from the very earliest stages of discovery in the lab, right through to clinical trials for patients.

Jenny Makin, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Hampshire and Dorset, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Franny is taking on yet another awe-inspiring fundraising challenge to raise much-needed funds for Cancer Research UK.”

To track Franny’s progress, visit www.benalisbigrace.com. Donate £5, text ‘FRAN’ to 70200.