Hi everyone,  

Let me open with two words many of you may not have heard before: ‘PROSTATE UNITED’.  

This challenge-based event starting in October is something we are incredibly proud and excited to share with everyone involved and connected with Wolves - all with the aim of raising as much money and awareness as possible for Prostate Cancer UK.   

So, let’s get down to it… What is Prostate United?   

I lost my grandfather to Prostate Cancer back in 2010 and, since then, due to the profound impact he had on my life and the major role he still plays in how I want to shape my behaviours and life, I always wanted to think of an event or challenge I could complete to honour his memory and raise as much money and awareness for the amazing guys at Prostate Cancer UK.  Let’s rewind back to 2018….I had an idea to run 10km a day every day throughout the month of November, all under 45mins, with colleague and friend Ross Burbeary, and there and then Prostate United was born.   We raised £7,500 that year between the two of us and ran the London Marathon thinking that might have serviced my need and desire to honour my grandfather; however, between the two of us when speaking to the football family throughout that month we got some great support and feedback from colleagues at other clubs that they wanted to jump on the challenge and get involved. 

I think you guys can see where this is going! Fast forward another 12 months and we managed to get staff from Coventry, West Ham and Sheffield United onboard. Something seemed to be growing, and the 2019 effort saw us raise another £15,000 and we felt the momentum begin. 2020 became another year of fantastic growth with now over 10 clubs involved and a total raised that year of £54,225.   2021 saw our exposure go to another level mainly due to inspirational Mick Harford at Luton Town. Mick at the time was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer and became a huge driving force for the challenge, not only to the 45 staff at Luton alone who took part that, but also sharing the message across the game. We had over 200 participants, 30 plus clubs and a grand total of £140,284 raised that year.  We felt, on reflection, that Prostate United was now on the map and certainly on the calendar for many working in football across the Premier League and EFL. At this point, the guys at Prostate Cancer UK who we now work so closely with gave us the resources and time to really help grow the challenge into a staple part of the footballing calendar.  We found going to games across the country the first thing people wanted to discuss was Prostate United! Wow, this was fantastic and incredibly humbling to see the growth of what stared with just the two of us running in the rain across Rotherham.  Another year and another month of running or cycling saw us hit new records on participation in 2022, 300 plus people involved now over 50 clubs, most importantly the arrival of the mighty Wolves and another £120,000 into the fundraising pot!   

I hope you guys are still reading and maybe are starting to think what’s involved and how do I sign up?! So, to date we have raised £350,000 and have a target this year to reach £500,000.  

Now the call to action… we NEED you!  And this is the why… One in eight men - and one in four black men - in the UK will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. More than 52,000 men are diagnosed with the disease in the UK every year, and, sadly, every 45 minutes one man dies from prostate cancer – that’s 12,000 men every year.  Catching prostate cancer early saves lives, but early prostate cancer often has no symptoms. That’s why it’s vital that men know their risk – and you can find out yours in 30 seconds by using Prostate Cancer UK’s online risk checker at www.prostatecanceruk.org/risk-checker.  

The 2023 Prostate United Challenge   

Walk 3km a day OR 5km a day 

Run 5km a day OR 10km a day 

Cycle 10km a day OR 25km a day  

When… October 1st to 31st… .Sorry it’s an extra day this year! 

How to sign up: https://prostatecanceruk.org/get-involved/football/prostate-united?utm_source=ross-stephen-football-club&utm_medium=affiliate-referral&utm_campaign=prostate-united&utm_content=organic-link

UK Fundraising: No need to create a JustGiving Page as I have created a Wolverhampton Wanderers page for us all to use. This year we will have this page entered onto the leader board so we can compete with other clubs. Please just use this page:

https://www.justgiving.com/page/wolvesfc-prostate-united-2023

Leader board/Total 2023: To see how we are doing on the main Just Giving page leader board see this link:

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/prostate-united-2023

Prostate United 2023 - JustGiving Please share and distribute to all your friends and family in the Wolves community!

This is the first year we are opening the challenge up to not only staff but fans too. It would be amazing to see the Wolverhampton community get behind this once again and see so many of you out there bringing it home one day at a time and one foot in front of the other.   

Send us your stories  Most importantly I want to hear your stories. This is a challenge for everyone, and I know how closely this will have affected so many of you. Hearing your personal stories of how this Illness impacts you will help further drive us all on.  

Lastly….. THANK YOU! Every penny we raise makes a huge difference to everyone at Prostate Cancer Uk.

I hope to see as many of you as possible on the start line and representing this amazing club come 1st October 2023. Role on Prostate United and we welcome you into the family.  

Best wishes and thank you, 

Steve