A WINSFORD man who was diagnosed with prostrate cancer has spent the last decade trying to save others from the killer disease.

Gary Steele, 69, of Cherry Crescent, has helped to raise some £500,000 over the years towards prevention and treatment.

He is now calling on people to take part in Walk The Whitegate Way on Sunday January 3 to help raise £20,000 for two hi-tech computers.

Gary, who is chairman of the Leighton Hospital Prostrate Cancer Support Group, said the computers will improve diagnosis of prostrate cancer.

He is urging people to run, walk or cycle the 12-mile return trip through Whitegate to burn off any excess Christmas pounds and to raise funds.

The walk will start at the Knights Grange Sports Complex in Winsford from 10am. The entrance fee is £5 Gary said: “The fact is men are still much less likely to go to the doctors and be checked. More often than not they will just bury their heads in the sand.

“And unfortunately prostrate cancer has no early symptoms.

“Raising the profile of the disease is still an issue. If this was a walk for breast cancer I’m sure there would be thousands of people already registered.”

Gary is also urging men aged 50 and over to have a free blood test at the Winsford Conservative Club on Ways Green on Saturday November 28 from 11am to 2pm.

The tests will be performed by urologists and phlebotomy nurses in the strictest confidence. No appointment is necessary.

Gary said that prostrate cancer is the most common cancer in men, with more than 35,000 being diagnosed and 11,000 dying from it every year in the UK.

He added: “These tests are proving successful in helping to diagnose men early.

“So far they show that around seven per cent of men test are positive and some 30 per cent are borderline cases.”

For an entrance form and sponsorship form for the Whitegate Way event call Gary on 01606 553097.