Former St Helens star Steve Prescott finds new mountains to climb

The words courageous, spirited, resilient, inspirational and determined could have been invented to describe Steve Prescott as they are qualities he displays in abundance.

The former Hull, St Helens and Wakefield full-back has not had it easy in recent years since being forced to retire from the game through a knee injury.

In 2006, he was hit with the biggest bombshell of all when doctors told him he wouldn’t get to see his children grow old after he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.

But Steve has always been a fighter, as anyone who saw him play will testify, and despite undergoing major surgery and treatment, he is still going strong and doing his bit to help other sufferers and research at Christie’s hospital.

He has walked hundreds of miles across the UK, completed the London Marathon in four hours, 32 minutes, and has raised over £250,000 for charity since forming the Steve Prescott Foundation in 2007.

Prescott told PROBIZ Tryline: “After the initial shock of the diagnosis and trying to piece my life back together, I decided that I needed to do something to inspire people, particularly given the support I have had from the Rugby League community.

“For the last few years, we have been raising money through various challenges for Christie’s cancer hospital in Manchester, and also the RFL Try Assist fund.”

“If we can inspire people to get out of bed, go down to the shops or even to take on a bigger challenge and raise some money themselves, then it’s all be worthwhile in the end, so if you can spare some cash then please donate.”

Steve continues to have regular check-ups but claims he is fitter now than when he was playing and he will need to be for his next challenge. He is currently preparing to embark on a gruelling cycle ride from Lands End to John O’Groats in just nine days, from June 4th and to support him, visit www.steveprescottfoundation.co.uk.

The 37-year-old doesn’t like to do anything by halves though, and he has also decided to climb the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales - Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis – along the way!

No wonder the Queen gave him an MBE.

Steve is still a huge watcher of Rugby League and he gives us his thoughts on the game ahead of a bumper weekend of Super League action. As ever, The Independent’s Dave Hadfield is also on hand with a review and preview of the latest matches while Rob O’Neill rounds-up the breaking news from the last seven days in Stop the Press.

Click here to listen to the show which is also available to download through iTunes. Fans can also voice their opinions by emailing yoursay@tryline.net