March couple Martyn and Lisa Ayres step out to raise cash for Prostate Cancer UK

A March couple who are determined to raise awareness of prostate cancer have raised over £2,000 for charity.

Martyn and Lisa Ayres completed the first ever ‘March for Men’ cancer walk held at Ferry Meadows in Peterborough on Sunday.

The couple have set about raising awareness of the disease after Martyn was diagnosed with it earlier this year.

The pair, together with their son Matthew, lined up with 260 other walkers to complete the 5km course. So far they have raised over £2,000 but more money is still coming in.

Martyn's diagnosis was a real shock and came after he went to his GP for a routine test.

Lisa explained: “We went to a charity horse race evening at the Parkfield in Wimblington in aid of prostate cancer. One of the speakers, David Green, spoke about his experience and said that all men over the age of 45 should be tested. I told Martyn he should go."

Martyn had no symptoms of the disease and almost had to persuade the GP's receptionist into booking him an appointment for the test.

He said: "WhenI had the test I really thought that would be it.”

Unfortunately the test came back positive and Martyn eventually had to have surgery to remove two tumours from his prostate in August. Since then he has had further tests.

Lisa said: "We received the most amazing news whilst we were away relaxing in Malaga in September. A PSA 0.04 result - he is clear of cancer.

"We are now looking forward to making many more happy memories together and raising awareness of this awful disease."

Martyn and Lisa are urging all men over the age of 45 to have the test.

He said: “I was lucky, I didn’t have any symptoms and so I was not worried about the disease. I could be sat here now unaware that I had cancer if it hadn’t been for that night out.

“I would urge every man aged over 45 to go and get tested. As I found out, you don’t need to have symptoms to have cancer and the earlier it is picked up the easier it is to get treated.

“All it involves is a simple blood test, it takes just a few minutes – everyone can spare a few minutes, no matter how busy they are.”

To sponsor the couple and help raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK go to: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lisa-ayres