25th Anniversary of the Prostate Project Marked in Style

Published on: 25 Feb, 2024
Updated on: 28 Feb, 2024

Paul Jones, Mike D’Arbo (Manfred Mann), Andy Fairweather-Low and Robben Ford (US Blues Guitarist)

The 25th anniversary year of Guildford charity, the Prostate Project, kicked off in spectacular style, as Blues legend, Paul Jones and an array of his celebrity friends played two packed-out nights at G Live,
earlier this month, raising almost £60,000 in the process.

Colin Stokes & chair Martin Davies at G Live

Prostate Project chairman, Martin Davies was understandably thrilled. ‘’What a way to start such a huge year, 2024 will see us not only marking our silver anniversary, we will also be launching our “Man Van”, the mobile PSA blood testing clinic that is due for delivery in late spring.

“We have to thank Paul Jones, and all his hugely talented friends, as well as Tony Smith, of Eclectic Live Music for organising another smash hit, and helping to raise such a magnificent sum.’’

The “van”, purchased and kitted out thanks to a monumental fundraising effort which raised over £200,000, will soon be on the road, taking the ‘Get Tested’ message across the region, and of course providing a clinical location for men to have the simple PSA blood test, a vital part of the early detection process for prostate cancer.

Martin is quick to praise Alf Turner, his predecessor as chairman, and pay tribute to the astonishing determination shown by friends and supporters of the Prostate Project, in delivering the “Man Van”, and developing a solid plan for its operation.

Former Prostate Project chairman Alf Turner

Martin said: “There is no doubt that I have some rather large shoes to fill, but I do not think that I could be taking over the reins at a better, or more exciting time, and whilst we have a number of significant events happening in our anniversary year, I also feel that it is important that we remain steadfast to the original vision of the charity.

“The charity was formed with the simple aim of giving men a better chance of surviving prostate cancer, and this core message is as vital today as it was 25 years ago.

“All the work that the charity has put into raising funds to help build the Stokes Centre for Urology, purchase vital equipment, and sponsor research and treatment at the Royal Surrey and Frimley Park Hospitals, and the University of Surrey, has been true to this principle.’’

Prostate cancer kills more than 14,000 men in the UK every year, and early detection is vital in the successful treatment of patients, an issue made all the more important as in its early stages, prostate cancer has few, if any, noticeable symptoms.

The final word goes to Martin. ‘’The mobile PSA testing clinic gives us an unprecedented opportunity to take PSA testing into the community, our message is simple, Get Tested.’’