Wandering in a Wycombe wonderland

Wandering in a Wycombe wonderland

On Sunday 17 September, two new friends and fellow Wycombe Wanderers fans will line up alongside former Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling to take on a common enemy - prostate cancer. Alan Cecil and Peter Radford, inspired by their own respective prostate cancer experiences and by the late, great Bill Turnbull, will be ready. Their training walks and their shared experience will get them through a 26-mile wander from Wembley to Wycombe. 

Wycombe Wanderers fans Alan Cecil and Peter Radford

While Alan and Peter are relatively active they’ve not done a marathon before so have started training together and supporting each other. A recent 14km training walk along the Thames Path saw time fly as they discussed everything from from football to their own prostate cancer journeys,and they’ve not looked back since..

Both men share a prostate cancer bond with fellow fan, broadcasting legend, Turnbull, whom Alan credits as an inspiration for him speaking out about his own diagnosis. Alan has also championed the support of Prostate Cancer UK, urged men to take the charity’s online risk checker and raised funds as a director of the Wycombe Wanderers Supporter’s Trust. 


Alan meets Jeff Stelling at the launch of his Football March in honour of Bill Turnbull this September

“I was diagnosed just over a year after Bill, and my treatment was completed before he passed away.” said Alan who led the ‘Buy a badge for Bill’ day during a Wycombe Wanderers' match day which raised over £2,100 following the former BBC Breakfast presenter’s death in  August 2022.

“Seeing  Bill  speak out about his diagnosis, gave me the confidence to do the same. I realised there was no shame or stigma attached and by me raising awareness of the need for early testing, other men could hopefully be as lucky as me.”

He was inspired to sign up for the epic 26-mile challenge after meeting Jeff Stelling at the launch of the challenge at Adams Park. 

He added: “I’ve had loving support from my wife and family – perhaps bringing us even closer. There’s also been great support from friends and fellow volunteers, golf colleagues and football supporters including Peter who I’m now training with ahead of September's marathon march.”

Reflecting on his own experience of prostate cancer, Alan admitted it’s changed his philosophy on life.

While Alan was diagnosed with prostate cancer following a visit to the doctor about an unrelated issue, in 2018 Peter, in his late 50s at the time, was encouraged to go for a PSA blood test by his wife. Despite no symptoms the test returned results worthy of further investigation, eventually finding early stage prostate cancer which could have turned aggressive. Peter decided on surgery, thankfully making a full recovery and was back exercising two months later.

Peter finishing Football to Amsterdam in 2022

No stranger to challenges, Peter, who had taken on a solo cycle challenge from Lands End to John O’Groats shortly before his diagnosis, finally completed Prostate Cancer UK’s Football to Amsterdam ride in 2022 after the Covid pandemic ruled out the 2020 and 2021 editions. 

With the Amsterdam adventure under his belt Peter was looking for other ways to support Prostate Cancer UK. Once he spotted the opportunity to join Jeff Stelling to walk to Adams Park, his home ground, it was a no brainer.

“I have done some long distance walks and some cycle challenges already this year so I am feeling in fairly good shape and it was good to find a time in the diary to meet up with Alan for a training walk; a fantastic 14km walk along the Thames from Bourne End to Temple Lock and back.  One third of the distance that we will be doing in September felt like a good workout and hopefully the first of a few training walks with Alan and others that I know who are signed up.” said Peter

This September Alan and Peter will take on Jeff Stelling’s Football March with over 360 fellow walkers raising money for Prostate Cancer UK. And they’ll be sharing their stories and experience with everyone they meet.

Feeling inspired? If you are joining them download our training guide and if not, get in touch as we have some additional places available.