'Get tested' - SAFC legend Gary Bennett's prostate cancer message ahead of Fans' Museum's fundraising and awareness walk

Gary was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2023 and after receiving life-saving treatment has made it his mission to educate other men on the symptoms to look out for and the importance of getting tested.

Speaking ahead of this Friday’s walk (October 4), Gary said: “Raising money is important, but the biggest reason for doing these walks is to raise awareness.

“One in eight men develop prostate cancer and this increases to one in four in black men.

“It’s important for men to get away from the stigma of going for a test. A lot of men think it’s still checked by a finger up your bum, but it can now be done by a blood PSA test.

“Because of their cultural background, it can be a particular issue in the North East where men can have the attitude ‘I’m a man’ and I don’t want to discuss it - but it’s vital we do talk about the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer as the earlier its diagnosed the better the chance of finding a solution.”

Gary will once again be joined on the walk by former Sunderland and England centre forward Mick Harford who has also faced and overcome his own prostate cancer battle.

Speaking during the last walk in December 2023, Mick said: “We decided to have this walk to raise awareness of prostate cancer. The people of Sunderland and the North East have been really supportive of my situation and we want to give something back and do what we can to help people in the region.

“We are here to raise money, but the money is not the most important thing - it’s about raising awareness of prostate cancer and getting the word out to men about the importance of getting checked out.”

This year’s walk is being coordinated by the Fans’ Museum and owner Michael Ganley hopes to make it annual event.

He said: “This cause is particularly important to me as I have members of my team here at the museum who’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer and it’s important to support my team.

“Football still has a predominantly male fanbase and it’s important to engage with all fanbases. Men can be stubborn and it’s important to get the message out there to get tested.

“It’s important to educate people about prostate cancer from a young age so they are more aware and likely to get tested as adults.

“If football icons like Gary Bennett and Mick Harford can develop prostate cancer then anyone can.”

Anyone interested in joining the walk should meet at the Fans’ Museum from 9am on Friday (October 4) ready for a 10am start.

There will be two distances people can chose to walk, the shorter route ending at the Roker Hotel, while the longer six mile route will finish at Minchella Ice Cream Parlour in Whitburn.

The money raised will once again be split between South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust and the Bob Willis Fund.

Fast bowler Bob was born in Sunderland but died as a result of prostate cancer in 2019. The charity set-up in his name looks to raise awareness of prostate cancer as well as investing into research and treatment of the disease.

One of the aims of the charity is to establish a national prostate cancer screening programme, something which Gary whole-heartedly endorses.

He said: “Once men reach 40 or 45 there should be a national screening programme in the same way that women have breast cancer screening and people of a certain age are screened for bowel cancer.”

The Fans’ Museum walk has been inspired by Buckinghamshire-based Luton Town fan Ron Hedley whose Ron’s Marches have so far raised more than £50,000 to support the fight against prostate cancer.

Ron, who has also been diagnosed with prostate cancer, is travelling to Sunderland to take part in Friday’s walk.

He said: “Prostate cancer is the biggest killer of men in the UK and the sooner men get a PSA test the better.”

You can find out more about the walks and how to donate via the Fans’ Museum website.

You can checkout the symptoms to look out for and also find out your own individual risk via the Prostate Cancer UK website.

Twenty former Black Cats players have been invited to take part in the walk.