I have set this page up to continue showing my support to Prostate Cancer UK. Unfortunately, my original just giving page was closed down after my main fundraising event finished back in 2022.  I'm using this to show the funds and sponsorship I'm still managing to raise for what I consider to be such an amazing charity.

Please see below my original story that started my fundraising in 2022.

My uncle; who was the fittest, healthiest man I knew, was diagnosed with prostate cancer! What started as an ordinary day for him; for all of us, ended in one quite differently. One day whilst out walking, his ears pricked up as he listened to ‘Talk Sport Radio’. He became aware of an article being discussed on prostate cancer. Raising awareness to all men, encouraging them to get themselves checked out by their GP's. Never having shown any signs or symptoms he certainly wasn’t fearing the news that was to come. ‘You have tested positive for prostate cancer!’

As soon as I heard this news, I knew I wanted to do something to help. This led me to finding out about the ‘Prostate Cancer UK’ charity. They are amazing! However, like most charities they rely on our help and donations to support them. The money given to the charity, provides lifesaving treatment needed by those affected.

With all cancers it is a life changing diagnosis but it doesn’t have to be this way. I’m doing my bit my raising money to help fund lifesaving research and support services for men AND their families affected by this disease. Remember – cancer doesn’t care who you are or what you have. Cancer can affect anyone. Cancer is a b*tch BUT together we can fight it!

I signed myself up to their ‘March The Month’ challenge which consists of me walking a MINIMUM of 11,000 steps EVERY day for the ENTIRE MONTH of September. By doing this I hoped to raise awareness of prostate cancer as well as sponsorship that will be sent directly to the charity via my JustGiving page.

Women are encouraged on a regular basis to go for their smear tests and have mammograms but what about the men in our lives?? If we don’t encourage them – who will?!

My main aim by doing this is to raise awareness and to encourage men to get themselves tested. If by doing this I can help save just one dad, one grandad, one brother, one nephew or in my case one uncle, it will all be worth my while. If you feel you are also able to help with a monetary donation, anything that you feel you are able to give will make such a difference! Whether it be 50p, £1 or anything higher – it all adds up! I set my original target at the end of August to £100. By the end of my first day, I had smashed it! I then upped my target to £250 and again by the end of my first week I had beaten it. I then gave myself the huge target of £600. I had friends and family thinking this was ludicrous; however, I have now raised a staggering £685 and sponsorship is still coming in daily!!

Unfortunately the news for my family has not been quite so positive. Scans have shown that my Uncle's cancer has spread from his prostate to his lymph nodes and Dr's cannot be sure that this is where it is contained. A course of chemotherapy, followed by radiotherapy is what was suggested. However, the effects of the chemotherapy brought on more problems resulting in the chemo needing to be stopped. He now awaits radiotherapy - please think of us and keep everything crossed!

In the meantime, I found out my dad (who is only related to my Uncle via marriage) was being medicated for an enlarged prostate. Typical man and the onset problems of Covid, bringing with it the lack of GP appointments, this hadn't been followed up. With the unfortunate situation my Uncle is in, dad decided to chase things up and get himself checked out again.  This time the results were concerning and they recommended he had a biopsy. He did. The results for the biopsy came back with the same result as my Uncle. 'You have tested positive for prostate cancer'.

All over again, our world fell apart.

I'm not going to lie - I didnt deal with this very well. It hit me like a ton of bricks. We hear cancer and we automatically think of death (well I do!) I knew I needed to pull it together, to get a grip and to think of the positives. They've found it and hopefully they've caught it in time and can treat it!

Hormone tablet treatment began that very same day. He was later moved onto hormone injections which he will continue to have for the next 6 months. His next step is radiotherapy and again I ask you to please keep us in your thoughts and keep everything crossed.

We all have a very long and bumpy road ahead of us but it's a road we will all take together. One step at a time...

UPDATE September 2023: My Uncle and Dad are both now CANCER FREE!!

I still to this day, continue to promote the Prostate Cancer UK charity and raise awareness of this awful disease. I continue to hand out brochures and sell merchandise for the charity; pin badges and bracelets. These can be purchased directly from myself or from the local chemist/Nisa. I also have local charity pots in a few of the local businesses and I use this site to continue showing my support, my sponsors and my monies raised!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. If you are in a situation to leave a donation I would be forever grateful. Don't forget I also have pin badges and bracelets available for a small donation to the charity. If you feel there is anything else you can do to help show your support or you would be interested in receiving an information leaflet then please let me know.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.