WITH the football season back in full swin, soccer-mad Phil Gara is aiming to net his own fortune for two ill Birmingham children.

The 44-year-old, from Sheldon, is making a charity dash to 68 grounds up and down the country in around 36 hours.

Phil hopes his race against time, which will see him take a photo at each stadium, will raise thousands of pounds for two Birmingham children living with condition cerebral palsy.

The cash raised will buy new equipment for eight-year-old Jack Dolphin, from Acocks Green, and Coner O’Donovan, aged ten and from Sheldon.

Phil will kick off from Blues’ St Andrew’s ground on September 2 and head to the first 35 grounds around the Midlands and the north including Anfield in Liverpool, Old Trafford in Manchester and Elland Road in Leeds.

After a quick rest, Phil and his colleague plan to head down from Nottingham and hit Wembley and the London clubs before reaching the south coast as far as Bournemouth.

The journey will then head up the M5 corridor past Bristol back to Birmingham.

Phil will finally finish at the club he supports, Aston Villa, on the evening of September 3.

He said: “We will cover the first 35 grounds on Saturday before the second leg and that should get us up to 68.

“I’ll be taking a picture at every ground as proof.

“The aim is to raise £5,000 to help buy equipment for Jack and Conor. Jack needs a special car seat and Conor a trike.

“I really want to help them as they are special kids.”

Supermarket chain Farm Foods has donated £500 to the cause and Phil is trying to find a garage or business to sponsor fuel for his charity drive.

Phil has picked teams spanning the Premiership, Championship and Leagues One and Two.