FEARS are growing for prolific charity fundraiser and former Hull FC star Steve Prescott MBE.
The “whole rugby league community” is said to be praying for the former fullback, who is being closely monitored in a South Midlands hospital after suffering two bouts of pneumonia as well as a perforated bowel.
​
Former Hull FC star and prolific charity worker Steve Prescott MBE battles pneumonia​
CONCERN: Martin Blondel.​
BATTLE: Steve Prescott.​
BATTLE: Steve Prescott.
Father-of-two Mr Prescott, 39, who was diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer seven years ago, set up the Steve Prescott Foundation in 2007, which has given nearly £500,000 to causes close to his heart. Martin Blondel, who is the foundation’s secretary and a close friend of Mr Prescott’s, said: “The whole rugby league community and everyone who knows Steve is concerned.
“It is a very difficult time for Steve and his family.
To celebrate our 10th Anniversary come along and try us for FREE with this 10 day pass
Terms:
Call Gymophobics 01482 423130 and quote Hull Daily Mail Redeemable at Hull and Beverley
Contact: 01482 423130
Valid until: Thursday, October 31 2013
“He has suffered two bouts of pneumonia and a perforated bowel in the past six weeks.”
Mr Prescott’s wife, Linzi, is at his bedside in Oxford, while the couple’s young children, Taylor and Koby, are being looked after by their grandparents in his native St Helens in Lancashire.
Due to the nature of the cancer, Mr Prescott – who has taken part in countless gruelling challenges, despite his illness – is unable to properly digest food, so he is getting nutrients via a tube, said Mr Blondel.
“Steve is absolutely amazing,” he said. “He is very poorly, but is still upbeat. He is still in good spirits.
“He has defeated the odds before, but this is his biggest challenge yet.
“Nobody else could have coped with what he has had to put up with.”
The Steve Prescott Foundation has given £480,000 to the Rugby Football League Benevolent Fund and Christies Hospital in Manchester, where the former England and Ireland player has received cancer treatment.
In August, Mr Prescott was forced to pull out of a trip to Tanzania, where he planned to scale Mount Kilimanjaro.
A group of 12 fundraisers went on to complete the challenge, raising around £20,000 for the foundation.
Mr Blondel said: “Steve had been planning to scale it in five days, instead of the usual nine days. That is the type of character he is. He is always pushing himself.”
Mr Blondel said his friend would want him to thank people for their continued support.
He said: “Steve thinks it is phenomenal that people are willing to give so much time and effort for challenges.
“This inspires Steve and helps him keep going.”
Former West Hull and Hull Dockers player Pete Stephenson said his thoughts are with Mr Prescott, who inspired him to walk again after an accident on the field in 2005.
Mr Stephenson, 34, who is now able to walk using crutches, said: “Steve Prescott was one of the bravest players I ever saw on the field.
“Off the field, he has one of the biggest hearts going.
“When I was feeling down I would look to Steve for inspiration and motivation.
“Despite what he was going through with his cancer he put himself through all these challenges.
“He must have been running on empty for some of them.”
Mr Stephenson wished Mr Prescott well.
“I just really help things work out for him and he can win this last battle,” he said. “If anyone can beat this, it’s Steve.
“Whatever happens, he has provided a fantastic legacy in the Steve Prescott Foundation.”
Mr Prescott was appointed MBE in the 2010 New Year Honours for services to rugby league and charity.
Visit www.steveprescottfoundation.co.uk to make a donation to the charity.
Article source: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000087218&story_title=england-ends-kenya-s-rugby-sevens-world-cup-title-hopes
All of rugby league prays for Steve Prescott as former Hull FC star suffers ...
No comments:
Post a Comment