Gary Steele MBE (Former Chairman)

Gary was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in 1999 and his experiences following diagnosis lead him to start a support and awareness group. He has been said to be a one-man crusade promoting awareness of  Prostate Cancer throughout Staffordshire, Cheshire the North West and beyond.  

Gary devotes a huge amount of time and energy talking to men, travelling around the country, setting up temporary Drop-In centres at supermarkets, shopping precincts etc., as well as talking at Working Men’s Clubs, Probus, Freemasons & Rotary Clubs.  In addition to this he goes to companies and anywhere else he is invited to promote awareness of Prostate Cancer.

He initiated the Group's PSA testing sessions, thanks to which, to date, over 6,000 men have been tested, and many confirmed cancers identified, enabling treatment and/or active surveillance to those diagnosed followed.

He is the main fundraiser for the Group, having single-handedly raised over £600,000 for vital equipment, research, staff specialist cancer training and promoting awareness.  He arranges functions, special nights, Big Band concerts, 60’s Nights and Fashion Shows.

Together with Mr Pradip Javle, the consultant Urological Surgeon who treated Gary, he competed in the BUPA Great North Run raising over £8,000 for research and equipment for the care and comfort of patients admitted to Leighton Hospital when diagnosed with Prostate Cancer.

Gary is a Trustee of the Prostate Cancer Federation "Tackle" and Vice Chairman of Prostate Cancer Support North-West. He is the first response for medical advice on the Prostate Cancer Support National Help-Line and has helped to compile a register of men willing to talk to newly diagnosed patients and their families regarding treatment, care, and living with cancer.

He has appeared on national and local TV and local radio phone-ins and will do whatever he can to promote awareness to this most common Cancer in men. Gary was awarded the MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honour's List in 2012 for his sterling work.

Gary initiated the sponsorship of local junior football and cricket teams who promote the "Save A Dad" campaign and he also set up the Group's association with the Medical Detection Dogs' trials  to “sniff-out” Prostate Cancer.

He has also set up sponsorship of the sporting curriculum at Sir William Stanier School in Crewe
which we believe to be the first of its kind in the UK.