COMEDIAN and TV presenter Jason Manford has helped a former paratrooper smash a Poppy Appeal fundraising target by £90,000.

Jeffrey Long, 86, from Bingley, intends to a walk a mile for each year of his life in just over a week by trekking along the River Thames path, setting off on Saturday, October 21 from the Thames Barrier.

Despite sore feet due to chemotherapy he is on for a blood disorder, the intrepid trooper carried on and was due to end his journey in Caversham today.

By Wednesday afternoon, Mr Long's Just Giving page stood at more than £91,600, a huge rise from Saturday when it was £80. Mr Long had originally aimed to raise £1,000 for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal and his old regiment, the 12th Yorkshire Parachute Battalion.

Yesterday, comedian Jason Manford shared Paula Modeste’s Facebook post where she described meeting Mr Long at Windsor railway station.

The post was picked up by Jason Manford and it immediately went viral, attracting almost £34,000 within just a few hours.

Her Facebook post read: “I met this handsome chap on Saturday at Windsor train station. He is 86! “He was in full camo get up and spotted I had the same jacket on.

“He’s walking 86 miles for his 86 years without a map or loads of publicity. He’s just doing it armed with a JustGiving page, keen sense of direction and a massive heart.

“His name is Jeffrey Long MBE and he is a legend.”

Mr Manford told his followers: “Ah man, this fella is only at £300! “If I know you lot, I know we can get him to £1,000 before lunch! Let’s donate a pound each and surprise the hell out of this legend.

An hour later Mr Manford added: “Is anyone else just sat there refreshing the JustGiving page and smiling so hard?

“I love the fact Jeffrey is not on social media and I imagine won’t even check his JG page until tonight when he’s finished. He’s in for a shock. What a cracking day.”

Mr Long, who earlier this afternoon had just four miles to complete his trek said: “I am absolutely overwhelmed with the support. This walk has been the hardest so far. I have hurt a hamstring but will get to the end. Usually I feel around 35-years-old; 25 when I am in combat gear. Today I feel a little more than that.

Rodger Cartwright, Area Manager for the Royal British Legion in Yorkshire, said: “Jeffrey is an inspirational individual and it’s wonderful to see that the public have got behind him in such great numbers.

“Every penny that Jeffrey has raised will help us to continue delivering a broad range of services from debt advice to admiral nurses and care homes.”

To donate to Mr Long's fundraising campaign, go to: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Jeffrey-Long1?utm_source=whatsapp or mydonate.bt.com/events/jeffreylongmbe