Throughout March, neighbours Nigel Smith, 59 and Gary Marriner, 60 from Water Orton, North Warwickshire boosted their daily step count and completed Prostate Cancer UK’s virtual fundraising challenge, March the Month, to raise money for the leading men’s health charity.

After Nigel approached his neighbour to sponsor him throughout March, he inspired Gary to take part alongside him and they both managed to walk 11,000 steps a day, to represent more than 11,000 dads, grandads, sons, brothers and mates who die from prostate cancer every year.

The neighbours decided to get involved in March the Month after discovering just how many men are affected by the disease and raised a total of £2,010 to help beat prostate cancer, which is now the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK. Not only did the pair smash their fundraising target, but they also helped to raise much needed awareness of the disease in their local community. 

Nigel said: “I decided to take on March the Month for Prostate Cancer UK because this Man’s Enemy kills so many men unnecessarily, because, if caught early, it is fully treatable and not all men do anything about it.

I thoroughly enjoyed myself this March and I’m over the moon to have raised awareness of the disease and funds for Prostate Cancer UK, to help stop prostate cancer being a killer. I would like to thank my amazing family and friends for supporting me with their donations”.

Gary said “I would like to thank friends and family for the support given to me during March the Month. The donations exceeded my expectations which I greatly appreciate, and the steps enabled me to improve my fitness whilst raising money for prostate cancer”.

Nicola Tallett, Director of Fundraising & Supporter Engagement at Prostate Cancer UK, said: 

“We’re incredibly proud that Nigel and Gary joined our team of remarkable walkers taking on March the Month and raising vital funds for Prostate Cancer UK.

“It’s particularly pertinent that the 11,000 steps taken every day represent those who die from prostate cancer each year. We want to make prostate cancer something that the next generation of men do not fear and to continue to be here for them and their loved ones – especially since the Covid-19 pandemic has made living with a diagnosis only harder. 

“Hard times show what people stand for. When the future is uncertain and the choices are tough, we stand for men with prostate cancer. We thank Nigel and Gary and everyone else who took part in March the Month – for their support.”

To sponsor Nigel https://marchthemonth.prostatecanceruk.org/fundraising/nigel-smith-march-the-month-challenge

To Sponsor Gary https://marchthemonth.prostatecanceruk.org/fundraising/gary-marriner-march-the-month-challenge