A GROUP of dedicated and generous Sintelliners have become the country's highest fundraisers for prostate cancer in honour of a beloved man lost to the disease.
As reported by the Star, a group signed up to Prostate Cancer UK's month-long marathon challenge last month, after the passing of former Pilks worker John Haggerty.
Described as a "one of a kind", John is said to have loved nothing more than spending time with his family, working on his allotment, and watching the mighty Saints, but his condition quickly deteriorated after a prostate cancer diagnosis in January 2023, and he passed away aged 63 eight months later.
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As an idea to bring the family together and raise money and awareness of prostate cancer, John's son-in-law Barry Pope signed up to Prostate Cancer UK's marathon challenge, which involved runs (or walks) across various routes in St Helens until reaching the 26.6 mile target.
Setting a modest fundraising target of £200, the idea quickly snowballed into something much bigger as around 40 people routinely came along to get involved in the challenges.
Bringing together family, friends, and those who previously didn't know each other, the group completed the final challenge on Sunday, January 21 and raised a huge £5,090 for Prostate Cancer UK.
This means that the team became the charity's top team fundraiser across the country.
Barry, who works for St Helens Council and coaches at FC St Helens, said: "We still can’t believe to be honest the support from the team and from family, friends work colleagues, it has been immense and we couldn’t have done it without their help.
"To have such a little target to start off with and see how what we have now is unbelievable.
Speaking previously to the Star, Barry added: "The donations really spurred us on but it wasn't just about the money, it was about awareness as John passed away just eight months after his diagnosis and his health really deteriorated, and no family should ever have to go through that.
"He even said 'If I had a couple more years I'd be happy', so if we can help just one person from going through what John went through, then we've achieved our goal."
Raising money for such a vital cause, the story connected with many in St Helens and even the Prostate Cancer UK charity thanked the group for their "incredible support".
Aiming to continue their work in raising awareness of prostate cancer and bringing people together, the group will set out on a sponsored walk and pub crawl in early March.
Again raising money for Prostate Cancer UK, this will take the group from Billinge to Windleshaw sports club, where there will be a disco, karaoke, and raffles.
To find out more about prostate cancer symptoms you can follow this link. To donate towards Prostate Cancer UK you can follow this link.
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