The Bob Willis Fund has already raised over £300k for research - three friends share the memories of the cricketing legend that inspired something big.

Here, three of Bob Willis' friends reflect on their favourite memories, his final moments and their work with The Bob Willis Fund and The Beefy Foundation. Both organisations have partnered with us to improve prostate cancer diagnosis, so friends and families everywhere get more time with the men they love.

“All he wanted to talk about was what he enjoyed, which was football, wine, cricket, friendship.” Paul Allott

Reflecting on Bob’s closing moments, close mate Paul Allott had dashed to see his mate one more time.

"Beefy (Lord Botham) and I saw him a few days before and we knew he was poorly, but he never talked about his illness. All he wanted to talk about was what he enjoyed, which was football, wine cricket, friendship. He was hugely stoical and bore it with great fortitude.

I shot off on the train down from Manchester and just got there in time. I had about 10 minutes with him before he passed away. I think he was pleased I got there. I was pleased, although it was a traumatic experience. I held his hand and he slipped away. It was a very peaceful passing, but hugely emotional.

The more publicity and awareness around this, the better. It needs early diagnosis. It may have altered or extended Bob’s life."

“He was a mentor to me” - Lord Botham

England teammates on the field, and close friends off it. Ian then followed Bob into the world of cricket commentary. Last year he wrote the foreword for the best-selling book, Bob Willis, A Cricketer and a Gentleman, with all royalties coming to Prostate Cancer UK.

"Bobby was unique, with the best dry sense of humour. It was off the cuff, he just let it flow, the most adaptable person to any situation. Over the years he became a mentor to me. I remember walking in for my first test match at Trent Bridge, and Bob was there. As we were going downstairs to the nets, he put his arm on my shoulder and said: ‘relax you’ll be fine’. That evening we stopped at a pub and had a few beers

He could be as brutal as he was in praising me. If I had a bad day he’d get stuck into me, then we’d go and have a few drinks and that was the end of it. It was the same all the way through to when I joined Sky. He used to do a whole day commentary and talk me through the elements, how to lead and give colour. I’ll miss the impromptu get togethers. The free time was the best time. You’d get a call drop and everything. He was a great friend."

“He was full of fun, and loved his wine” - Michael Holding

The former West Indies pace bowler Michael Holding lost family to prostate cancer before the death of Bob. Now he wants to help others catch the disease before it’s too late.

"Our 2000 tour to South Africa was the first time I’d spent a lot of time with Bob and got to understand him. He was a good man, full of fun. He loved his wine. Away from the cameras and the crowds he was totally different, easy-going and relaxed.

I lost two members of my family to prostate cancer. For my father it was very late in life as he was approaching 80, but my brother got it in his 60s and it took him out as well. I know how deadly it is and I wish people would pay more attention. You don’t really understand what it does to your body until it’s too late."

The Bob Willis Trophy Final will be broadcast on Sky Sports next week, from Tuesday 28th -  Friday 1st of October to raise awareness and funds for early and more reliable diagnosis.

Read more about the Bob Willis Fund here  

Over £300,000 raised by The Bob Willis Fund will fund research into better tests, like Dr. Jennifer Munkley's work to improve diagnosis and treatment of aggressive disease.

Our partnership with The Beefy Foundation is also investing over £170,000 into earlier and better prostate cancer diagnosis. Professor Mendes is leading a study into re-inventing the PSA blood test so it can detect not just the presence of prostate cancer, but also how aggressive it is. A breakthrough that could give thousands of men more time with their friends and family.