I am running in honour of two great friends, who have battled Prostate Cancer. Two colourful characters who have lived their lives to the full.

Bill Springthorpe, died on April 11th 2014, aged 75.

He was a prolific amateur dramatic actor and he graced the stage in countless productions with Barrow Savoyards and Ulverston Amateur Operatic Society. He particularly loved Gilbert and Sullivan. I got to know him as a member of Coniston Sailing Club where he was a member for 35 years.  He told me tales of sailing in the Greek Islands and taught me the secret of reversing a yacht into a tight berth. Hundreds of his family and friends filled every corner of Ulverston Methodist Church for his funeral, testimony to the popularity of this softly spoken Welshman.

Ken Hall was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in 2010. Through aggressive treatment and good luck, he is still with us at the age of 72. An engineer by trade, a sailor and fisherman by choice.  A founder member of the Morecombe Bay Prawner (Nobby) Association, he has restored and sailed these traditional fishing boats around the the coast of the North West and Wales.  As a musician, he performed his distinctive Country and Western around the pubs and clubs of Merseyside for many years. He became my friend through the West Cheshire Sailing Club on the Wirral where we live. He taught me countless engineering skills but has yet to show me how to avoid getting burnt when he is welding.

I am asking friends  to sponsor me for the event which is on the 26th April.