As the days get shorter, the trips are getting longer for an FA Cup charity fund-raising campaign.

Richard Knowles, from Frodsham, is following the FA Cup from the very first round right through to the final, raising money for Cancer Research UK in the process.

The football fanatic is hoping to raise over £5,000 for charity as he follows the winning team in each round.

The 35-year-old reached his fourth round (the second qualifying round) on Saturday, as his charity adventure crossed the Pennines to Yorkshire, and Guiseley AFC’s clash with his current team Bamber Bridge.

Richard’s campaign started at Runcorn Linnets and he has also taken in Bamber Bridge, before now picking up Guiseley’s trail.

He was joined at Nethermoor by his brother Robert, 34, an insurance broker from Kew, near Southport, and friends Chris O’Brien, Patrick O’Brien and Simon Baggeley as they collected donations from the crowd of around 400 before watching Guiseley secure a place in the third qualifying round with a 2-0 win.

The team collected over £170 on the day to take the overall total to more than £800.

The campaign heads back to Guiseley on Saturday, October 10 as they host Unibond League Premier Division rivals Kendal Town.

Richard dreamed up the idea with Robert in 2005, but has only now put his plan into reality.

He kicked off this year’s campaign on August 15 at his local team Runcorn Linnets, watching them beat AFC Emley 4-1 in the extra preliminary round.

He then travelled to Northern Premier League Division One North side Bamber Bridge and watched the home side defeat the Linnets 6-0 in the preliminary round before seeing the Bridge continue to progress with a 4-1 win at Maine Road.

He will continue to follow the winning team in each round until the final at Wembley in May.

Richard said: “Like many people, cancer has had a direct impact on my life as my father died when my brother and I were very young.

“He was a great footballer and this seems an appropriate way to raise money, particularly as he used to play for Runcorn in the 1960s.

“I can’t thank Runcorn Linnets, Bamber Bridge, Maine Road and now Guiseley AFC enough for the superb support I’ve received.”

David Fielding, north west area volunteer manager, said: “Support from people like Richard and his team is important to raising the awareness of the work done by Cancer Research UK. We look forward to following his progress to Wembley.”

To donate, simply go along to watch Guiseley play at home to Kendal Town or go online to www.justgiving.co.uk/richard-knowles. Follow Richard’s progress towards Wembley at http://runcorn2wembley.blogspot.com and twitter richthemaster.