In September 2024, more than 50 people gathered at Liverpool John Lennon Airport to begin a journey with a shared purpose. We were travelling to Portugal to walk the final 70 miles of the Camino Portugués, from Tui on the Spanish–Portuguese border to Santiago de Compostela.

People walk the Camino for many reasons, religious, spiritual and deeply personal, and our group was no different.

Some walked in memory of their school friend Paul Rice, the first Chair of the Liverpool FC Supporters’ Trust, Spirit of Shankly. Paul died from leukaemia in January 2012. While in hospital, he had said that if he recovered, he would walk the Camino. Sadly, he never had that opportunity, so others walked in his memory.

There was another powerful bond within our group. Two of the men walking with us, Brian Omar and Gerard Moran, had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Brian founded Lads At Larks, an informal support group based at The Larks, part of the Marina Dalglish Appeal Centre. Brian hosted regular informal meetings over a cup of tea or coffee for people to speak freely and openly, support one another through their experience of prostate cancer, and encourage other men to become more aware of their prostate health.

Gerard was a regular attendee and enthusiastic supporter of the group. It was Gerard, together with members of Brian’s family and friends, who helped turn a conversation over a few drinks in the Fulwood Arms in Aigburth into the challenge of walking the Camino.

Six days after setting out from Tui, we reached Santiago de Compostela together.

A few months later, Brian died from prostate cancer. One of his final wishes was that Lads At Larks should continue meeting and offering friendship and support to men affected by the disease.

In September 2025, a similar number of us returned to the Camino, this time walking 75 miles along the Camino Francés from Sarria to Santiago. Sadly, just two months later, Gerard also died from prostate cancer.

Now, in late August 2026, more than 30 people will come together once again. This time, we will travel to Italy to walk 70 miles or so of the Via Francigena over six days, beginning in Montefiascone and finishing at the Vatican in Rome.

Everyone taking part will carry their own memories and personal causes. However, Brian and Gerard, and the friendship, courage and determination they brought to our group, will be foremost in our minds with every step. Our journey will be especially poignant when we attend the General Audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on 2nd September.

We are walking to remember two greatly missed friends, to continue their work and to help more men understand the importance of prostate cancer awareness. Prostate cancer often causes no symptoms in its early stages, so men should understand their personal risk, pay attention to changes in their bodies and speak to their GP about any concerns. Men can also ask their GP about the benefits and limitations of a PSA blood test.

Any money raised will go directly to the Marina Dalglish Appeal, helping to support the work of Lads At Larks and the MDA Charity. A robotic system for prostate surgery has already been purchased by MDA and is now in use at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

But this walk is about more than raising money. It is also about starting conversations, encouraging men to take their health seriously and continuing the legacy of Brian and Gerard.

Please support us if you can, but, more importantly, share our story. A conversation or a timely visit to the GP could make all the difference.