The man featured in the image is Steve Prescott and Exemplum are proud to be associated with the ‘Steve Prescott Foundation’.
As a rugby enthusiast, Steve played in the rugby league for several clubs including, St Helens, Hull, Wakefield and was a GB Lions Tourist.
His story is one of determination and courage as he faced a serious disease. In September 2006, Steve was diagnosed with Pseudomyxoma Peritonei a rare form of Cancer. He was told by doctors that he would not live long enough to watch his children grow up; missing out on important milestones of their lives. He was told that he would only have a few months to live.
It’s news that no single human being ever wants to hear and, at the time, it must have dealt a devastating blow and a flurry of emotions, questions and soul searching would have been enough to drag anyone further into darkness. Steve underwent a major operation at Basingstoke Hospital and several tumours were removed from his abdomen. He was then transferred to The Christie Hospital in Manchester for chemotherapy treatment to try and control the remaining disease.
Despite all the treatment he was undertaking Steve was invited to be a guest of honour at a Wigan Supporters versus St Helens Supporters Charity Rugby League match in August 2007 and it was there that the concept of fund raising took shape. This became what it is today as the Steve Prescott Foundation combining two organisations close to his own heart that would receive the benefits of his own fund raising activities.
- The Christie: The Christie Cancer Hospital in Manchester is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, treating over 40,000 patients a year. This is where Steve is currently being treated. It is one of only two national specialist hospitals that specialises in Pseudomyxoma Peritonei in GB.
- Try Assist: Previously known as The Rugby League Benevolent Fund, and aims to support players whose lives are affected by serious injuries while playing the game of Rugby League. SPF Donates 25k to Try Assist Fund
The first major event to carry the Steve Prescott Foundation Flag was a 199 mile walk that embarked in Hull and finished at Old Trafford, Manchester. In total, thirteen rugby league clubs were visited during the walk and a massive £60,000 raised for the foundation. It brought supporters from rival clubs together to walk side by side each other for the cause with twelve of them supporting Stephen for the full distance.
Having just finished a course of chemotherapy this was quite a task for Stephen but sheer grit, determination, plain stubbornness and the fantastic support and atmosphere from friends enabled him to succeed.
Since then Stephen has attended a long list of fund raising events from the London Marathon to its biggest and most ambitious challenge to date. Stephen plaid a major role in organising a unique boxing event for former rugby league players at Reebok Stadium, Bolton. In the mix of contenders were former team mates and opponents such as Steve Hampson, Garry Schofield, Anthony Sullivan were willing to undertake intense training to take part in the contest; even visiting Ricky Hattons gym in Manchester. Ricky Hatton himself gave his full support for the event. Stephen couldn’t sit back and watch on the night itself, he entered the ring and took on former European Middleweight Champion Herol ‘Bomber’ Graham in an exhibition bout which delighted the audience. The event raised £32,000, together with further awareness and publicity for the Foundation.
With determination and the power to do something good for the community despite what ever illness you may have is admirable and the biggest achievement anyone could live for. Stephen Prescott died on the 9th November 2013 but has lived on through the many fund raising activities that raise awareness for the foundation.