I’ve often thought my Dad and Stephen Fry had plenty in common. They both love cricket, they both make me laugh and are both intelligent, thoughtful men I admire very much. Unfortunately they also share another, less welcome similarity. Both these fine gentlemen have recently been diagnosed with
prostate cancer.

In the UK, one man dies from prostate cancer every 45 minutes, and the figures are rising. Too many men are being killed by this disease, but the work done by the brilliant charity Prostate Cancer UK is helping. Raising awareness and researching the disease is an expensive business though, so in light of the recent news it felt appropriate to do something about it.

On 22 July 2018, my brother Andy, my sister Liz and I will be taking part in the Prostate Cancer march to the arch. The event is a 26 mile walk that starts at St Albans City FC and ends at Wembley Stadium, with stops at Watford FC and Barnet FC along the way. It promises to be a fun but challenging (anyone who’s witnessed the shape I’m in recently will know just how challenging) day, but the three of us are determined to finish – for our Dad and the countless other men and families whose lives are turned upside down by this nasty disease.

Also joining us on the walk will be members from our extended Watford FC family - the "From the Rookery End" podcast team! We're delighted that Jon Moonie, Jason Bailey, David Cameron Walker and Kieran Thievam have all signed up to the cause and will be with us for every step of the way.

We’re aware that requests for sponsorship are regular occurrences these days, but we’d appeal to you to donate anything you can spare to help us towards our target. Your donation will go towards helping someone’s Dad, Brother or Son and from a personal point of view, would mean a lot to the Parkin family – especially our dear old Dad who has done so much for us over the years. 

Thanks very much. Your support means a lot to us all.
The Parkin family and friends.