Dear friends,

In February, after a routine blood test, I was diagnosed with advanced and aggressive prostate cancer. I had experienced no warning symptoms. The cancer is 10/10 on the Gleason Scale and has spread to my seminal vesicles. Over the last 6 months I’ve been treated with hormones to shrink the tumours and aggressive drugs to stop any further spread. Today the invasive treatment starts when I go into hospital for high dose brachytherapy, to be followed by 8 weeks of daily radiotherapy, hopefully to zap this thing.

Those of you who know me well, know that I always throw
myself into a challenge, whether in business, sport or health, and this one’s no different. Since my diagnosis I have run over 650 miles, including finishing my 13th London Marathon in April, played golf each week and hiked the Welsh mountains and coastal paths with my dear wife Alyson. Despite the muscle wastage and tiredness brought on by the treatment I intend to continue this regime throughout.

It is important that something good comes from all this and so I want to raise awareness of cancer and how crucial it is that both men and women get themselves tested for it. Early diagnosis and treatment could mean the difference between life and death. Also I want to raise funds for the Prostate Cancer Research Centre and hope you will reward my determination to stay positive, live and train as normal and beat this thing by giving generously.

Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men. Over 11,000 men die every year in the UK and the number increases every year. PCRC's mission is to develop new therapy for men with advanced prostate cancer. The immediate goal is to increase survival and their vision is a cure for the disease. Every pound raised will help PCRC achieve their vision.

Thank you,

Richard