Thank you for visiting my JustGiving Page in memory of my Grandad, Leslie Moody, who my family lost to prostate cancer in 1995. 

This year I will be running 3 major events - 

1. The Manchester Marathon on 5/4/20
2. The London Marathon on 26/4/20
3. The North Downs Way 50 Mile Ultramarathon on 16/5/20

I'd appreciate any and all donations to this extraordinary charity, the Prostate Cancer Research Centre. You can follow my training efforts in the lead up to each race @ moodyrunning.wordpress.com

Leslie William Moody was born in Camberwell, Greater London on 6th June 1924. After a tough childhood, he joined the Royal Navy in 1942, at the age of just 18, to serve as a Stoker on board HMS Sheffield during the Second World War. On 26th December 1943, as part of the Arctic Campaign, Les fought alongside his shipmates in the Battle of The North Cape, and was awarded a Distinguished Service Medal for his efforts contributing to the sinking of the Scharnhorst.

Grandad Les married my grandmother Phyllis in September 1944. They were to have three children; my Uncle John and twin boys, uncle Martin and my dad Chris.

Grandad was to become a skilled carpenter - there wasn't a lot he couldn't do with some wood, the right tools and pencil - and passed these skills on to my Dad to follow in his footsteps. He was a dedicated Watford supporter too and owned a season ticket for many years in the centre of the Upper Rous stand at Vicarage Road. 

One day, Grandad started to feel discomfort and knew something wasn't quite right. However, he ignored it, hoping that it would just go away. Sadly, it only increased, but Grandad continued to live with it. Soon enough, the pain grew to the point that he had to see a doctor. He was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer immediately but, by then, it had spread to other parts of his body and it was simply too late to treat.

Grandad Les died of Prostate Cancer in May 1995, at the age of 70. 

From what I know, he was a great dad and husband, and I certainly have some very cherished memories of him. He was a funny, caring man who loved his family and I miss him very much every single day.

My Grandad's story highlights the importance of regular check-ups for this awful disease, especially in men over the age of 50. My Uncle Martin was also diagnosed with Prostate Cancer and, had it not been for Grandad's battle, he may never have been checked himself. Luckily, his cancer was discovered early enough to be treated effectively and cured. Had he left it a few more months it may have been too late for him as well.

So, here are the facts:

• Prostate cancer kills 10,000 men each year.

• Each year 40,000 men will be told they have prostate cancer.

• A man aged 50 has 1:11 chance of being told he has prostate cancer. 

• Statistically, your chances of getting prostate cancer are doubled if your brother, father or grandfather had prostate cancer.

• Men of Afro Caribbean origin are 3 times more likely to get prostate cancer.

• Most men die with prostate cancer rather than of it.

• Cancer which has spread beyond the prostate is difficult to treat.

• Survival rates for cancer that has spread beyond the prostate have improved little in the last 50 years.

The Prostate Cancer Research Centre’s mission is to raise funds to undertake research that will improve the survival and quality of life of men with prostate cancer.

If you’d like to make a donation to Prostate Cancer Research Centre I’d be very grateful, as it will help them fund research to provide a future without Prostate Cancer.

Thank you.

Joel