A Kent man living with terminal prostate cancer is undertaking an emotional 36-day walk across England to raise funds and awareness for Prostate Cancer UK.
Paul Dennington, originally from North Shields, began his “March Through Life” on August 3 and will conclude the journey in his home village of Hempstead, near Gillingham, on September 7. The route covers meaningful locations from his life, forming both a physical and personal map of his journey.
At age 66, Dennington is determined to use his diagnosis to inspire action. “Caught early, prostate cancer is very treatable,” he emphasized. “That’s why raising awareness of risk is so important.”
Paul’s march begins at North Shields and continues through Birkenhead, where he will pay tribute to his late parents. From there, he will pass through Aston University in the West Midlands, where he once studied, and continue south through Rickmansworth, the site of his first home. In Kent, his route will include hospitals in Maidstone and Medway, where he has received treatment.
An avid Newcastle United fan, Dennington will also visit St James’ Park, the club’s home ground, en route. Over the past four and a half years, he has undergone extensive treatment including radiotherapy and hormone therapy, regularly attending the same hospitals he now passes during his walk.
To date, Dennington has raised over £100,000 for Prostate Cancer UK. His journey, which is expected to cover an elevation gain of 27,375 feet—just shy of Mount Everest—serves as both a tribute and a call to action.
Reflecting on his diagnosis, Dennington said: “It felt surreal. I didn’t have symptoms and thought I was fit and healthy. I felt guilt, though, knowing my condition would affect my family deeply.”
He also criticized the lack of a national screening programme in the UK. “We rely heavily on informed and willing men to get tested,” he said. “That must change.”
Read more:
Workout Strategy That Naturally Builds Muscle and Boosts Testosterone
Low-Risk Prostate Cancer May Be Riskier Than It Seems
Hormone-Free Male Contraceptive Pill Clears First Human Safety Trial
