Bromley man and Hollywood actor who changed his life to walk side by side for prostate cancer charity fundraiser
A Bromley man and the Hollywood actor who changed his life will walk side by side for the annual Prostate Cancer UK fundraiser, March for Men, next month.
Hollywood actor Colin McFarlane, 62, will stroll alongside Bromley resident Chris Davies, 75, through Battersea Park on June 2, to raise money for the charity.
Mr McFarlane, who starred in Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, as well as being the voice of ITV hit show, The Cube, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2022.
Mr Davies heard Mr McFarlane describe his diagnosis during a radio interview promoting last year’s March for Men. The interview inspired Mr Davis to get checked, and he was diagnosed with prostate cancer last summer.
The journalist said: “It’s hard to imagine where I’d be now if I hadn’t listened to the radio that day, or had popped out to make a cup of tea and missed it.
“Colin spoke so persuasively, with such emotion and eloquence that it hit all the right spots with me. I remain forever grateful to Colin for pushing me over the line. Who knows what might have happened with further delay?”
Mr Davies still reports no symptoms and says he feels fine, but is grateful to have caught the cancer when he did.
Mr McFarlane said: “Meeting Chris and hearing his own story was an incredibly emotional moment for me as he told me that hearing my words in an interview was the prompt he needed to get checked.
“It inspires me to do more, knowing that your words really can save lives. It will be an honour to walk side by side with him – and the Prostate Cancer UK family.”
When he was diagnosed, Mr Davies was told he had around 10 years left to live.
He said: “My response to the doctor was ‘That means I probably won’t see Millwall in the Premier League’.
“‘No one has ever responded like that”, the doctor said. “No one has ever told me I have cancer before”, I said.
“Sure, hearing you might have 10 years left can be a shock, but this has given me a new perspective and drive to try and make a difference.
“I can’t wait to walk alongside Colin at Battersea Park and meet everyone else on the day.”
In London, about 934 men die from prostate cancer each year. There are around 37,000 men living with prostate cancer in the capital.
Since March for Men launched in 2017, 16,150 Prostate Cancer UK supporters have come together to raise almost £2.7million to help fund research, and support men and their families navigating this disease.
In 2024 walkers can choose to stroll either 2.5km, 5km or 10km around the park. People of all ages and abilities are welcome, including families, friendship groups, work colleagues and even dogs, all raising vital awareness of the one in eight men who will get prostate cancer.
Mr McFarlane said: “March for Men is a special day that reminds you you’re not alone.
“It was such an uplifting day last year, and even the sun came out for us. I knew I had to do it again this summer.
“I’m lucky I caught my prostate cancer early, and it made me want to team up with the brilliant Prostate Cancer UK to raise more awareness and make sure others can be as lucky as I’ve been.”
You can sign up for the March for Men here
Pictured top: Colin McFarlane during March for Men 2023 (Picture: Prostate Cancer UK)