From experience, I believe that the most successful fundraising efforts come via a page where somebody has a story to tell - I have a story, its just that I'm not great at relaying it; but here goes.

My story starts 2 years ago when I successfully climbed Kilimanjaro with a work colleague Mike Heaton and a brilliant crowd of individuals from all walks of life and we raised a lot of money for another great charity Marie Curie. Prior to doing this I had a full medical including blood tests and was given the all clear, but in my naivety I had assumed that PSA / Prostate blood tests had been included, but they weren't!!

Just about 3 years ago the company I work for, Road Chef partnered with Prostate Cancer UK, and being on the charity committee I then began to understand the stats, how people were impacted and the effect on the guys who had this disease. 

Then in September 2014 my father was diagnosed, and now we understand the facts it was clear that he was diagnosed too late as 'it' took hold and on the 29th May 2015 he left us; what a day - the words the nurse uttered to me 'he's just taken his last breath' will stay with me forever.

So, knowing some of the facts from Prostate Cancer UK and seeing my father slip away, I began to think, as this type of cancer 'can' be hereditary, and so at the beginning of this year I went for further tests.

Blood pressure and all that kind of thing was fine, but as the nurse took my bloods 2 years on from assuming my PSA was fine, for some reason I asked the question, "prostate is included isn't it" - "no" she said "those are separate and you will need to see the GP" and so I did, and that's where the story really starts.

My first blood results came through on Friday 17th February when the doctor confirmed that my PSA was high, and there I was on the roller coaster - sorry for the cliche! At this point I had spoken to nobody about this, not my wife, friends or family; big mistake - I should have done!

During the next few weeks and following chatting to wifey and others; and being reliant on the NHS who I have to say were absolutely amazing; I went for a biopsy, an MRI, and and various appointments with various doctors which left me in a place where on Monday 3rd April just 6 weeks after my PSA blood results, I had to make a decision and I did, in my mind my only option which suited me based on my situation was surgery.

Last Wednesday the 19th April at 7.30am I was admitted to hospital, introduced to the staff and to the robot which performed my Op, and then sedated; waking up around 2.30pm job done.

On Friday I came home, very bloated, quite sore but on the road to recovery though I admit I have a couple of hurdles to get over as yet, I still think in my situation I made the right decision and that my future will be bright; it has to be - I have 4 children to be there for 2 of them are already amazing adults, but I have 2 young daughters I want to watch grow into beautiful young ladies. I have a grandson who I need to play football with every time he visits and I still need to amble along 97 Wainwrigths with Stevie Mac along with many other 'bucket list' adventures.

This brings my story right up to date, other than to relay why I wanted to tell it - awareness is one reason - any chaps out there aware of this godawful disease within their family, it can be hereditary, so do something! Any chaps out there whose bodies are changing and are just ignoring it, don't!

Another reason for the story is that it will hopefully help with my fundraising, money which will help raise awareness but more importantly help to bring cures for others in the future.

The health service is incredible no matter what bad press they receive the Doctors and Nurses will look after you and will help you on the roller coaster ride you will go on and god willing you will jump off the ride in a good place.

Finally, I am now asking for your help to support the cause Prostate Cancer UK and for your money I am going to do something I do reasonably well, walk! Albeit I am recuperating from my Op, which in theory should be 6 weeks, in 7 weeks on Monday 12th June along with my No 1 Cous, Our Andrew and his beautiful daughter Danielle we will be joining Jeff Stelling and others on one leg of his March for Men, from the Might Turf to Huddersfield a distance of some 26 miles. So please please donate to this fabulous cause, you will be amazed how many people you will actually be helping; any amount is greatly appreciated.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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.