The Spitfire Ground to feature in epic marathon walk for Prostate Cancer UK
Saturday 17th July 2021
Justin Foote will be walking 40km from Rainham Cricket Club in Medway to The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, ahead of Kent Spitfires’ Vitality Blast match with Sussex Sharks on Sunday (18 July).
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After a successful London Stadium marathon walk with Sky Sports Presenter, Jeff Stelling, in September 2019, Foote will be looking to complete the following marathon walks from May 2021 to April 2022 in support of Prostate Cancer UK:
- Jurassic Coast Challenge (Saturday 22 May 2021 – 42km – Completed) – Starting at Corfe Castle, then along the spectacular Jurassic Coast through Lulworth Cove, past Durdle Door then all the way to Weymouth, Dorset.
- Kent Cricket (Sunday 18 July 2021 – 40km) – A walk from Rainham Cricket Club (Kent) to The Spitfire Ground in Canterbury.
- London Stadium Walk (Saturday 4 September 2021 – 45km) – Another walk across London’s iconic football stadia with Jeff Stelling of Sky Sports.
- Thames Path Challenge (11 September 2021 – 50km) – Taking on England’s greatest River, heading upstream from Putney Bridge past Hampton Court to Runnymede of Magna Carta.
- Gillingham FC to Charlton Athletic FC (29 December 2021 – 45km) – Starting at Priestfield Stadium, walking to The Valley home of Charlton Athletic in time for kick off at 19:45
- Easter 50 Challenge (April 2022 – 50km) – Setting out from Windsor Racecourse, walking the looped routes through the Great Park with views of Windsor Castle and along the Thames Path.
Speaking to Kent Cricket, Justin outlines why he is taking on these challenges for Prostate Cancer UK:
“Back in 2019, my uncle had his prostate removed after he was diagnosed with having prostate cancer, and then in April 2019 my Dad visited the Medway Hospital on several occasions as was tested for the disease.
“He wanted to raise awareness and raise essential funds after the fantastic treatment both had received from their time in hospital.
“In June 2020, it was thought that I had possible low level prostate cancer after a routine blood & urine tests at the London Bridge Hospital.
“More importantly, a very close friend to me has been diagnosed with Stage 4 and sadly passed away in May 2021 of prostate cancer.
“I want to raise further awareness/funds to help beat a disease that currently kills 1 man every 45 minutes within the United Kingdom and would really appreciate your support in a bid to support Prostate Cancer UK, and fund research to change the game and stop prostate cancer being a killer!
“Prostate Cancer UK want a future where lives are not limited by prostate cancer and they are funding research into getting men diagnosed earlier and more accurately, as well as research into more effective treatments.
“They work to stop prostate cancer damaging bodies and lives, and ultimately work to stop prostate cancer being a killer.
“Men, we are with you.”
Statistics of Prostate Cancer in the UK:
- Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK.
- 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
- The risk is higher if you’re black, with 1 in 4 black men being diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
- You are two and a half times more likely to get it if your dad or brother has had prostate cancer.
- Your risk of getting prostate cancer may also be higher if your mother or sister has had breast cancer.
- It mainly affects those over 50 and your risk increases with age.
- Almost 50,000 men are diagnosed each year with over a fifth of them dying as a result.
- Which equates to one man every 45 minutes.