Thompson trained at Manchester United’s academy from the age of nine and played professionally for Tranmere Rovers, Rochdale, Carlisle, Southport and Bury.
At the age of 23, he was diagnosed with blood cancer and returned to playing following six months of treatment.
The cancer returned three years later and in March he was diagnosed for the third time.
Speaking at the start of the walk, he said he was “well” and “excited”.
“It’s also important to see all these guys turn up because the vision for me is to create a wellness centre that helps people with better testing, also finding the root causes and educating people.”
The married father-of-two said he was inspired to undertake the walk by former footballer Stephen Darby, who has motor neurone disease (MND), and added that the exercise had boosted his health.
“The real reason I’m doing this is because of Stephen Darby – he gave me the challenge and he’s going through his own hardship and he’s my inspiration.
“So we’ve just got to make it happen.”
