AFC Wimbledon supporter Kevin Webber’s remarkable story and fantastic charity work has received a #PointsOfLight award from 10 Downing Street.
The award recognises outstanding volunteers making a change in their community, with Kevin’s fund-raising for Prostate Cancer UK deservedly recognised.
Kevin is a Season Ticket holder at AFC Wimbledon and he took great delight in our win against Blackpool on Saturday! (Kevin is pictured above at a game with Neal Ardley).
The following is republished from the website for the Prime Minister’s Office at 10 Downing Street:
Kevin Webber (Epsom)
Kevin Webber, from London, has spent the last three years raising over £200,000 for ‘Prostate Cancer UK’, despite being told in 2014 that he only had two years to live.
While undergoing chemotherapy, Kevin took on the challenge of walking 15 marathons in 15 days in both 2016 and 2017 alongside Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling, to encourage men to get checked for prostate cancer and seek early diagnosis. As 2017’s #GivingTuesday champion, he reached out to thousands of people online. ‘Prostate Cancer UK’ also honoured his achievements by making him their ambassador at 2016’s English Football League Cup Final at Wembley. Kevin’s next challenge, the 6633 Arctic Ultra, involves pulling a sledge for 350 miles across the Arctic in -50 degrees Celsius temperatures.
In a personal letter to Kevin, Prime Minister Theresa May said:
“You have responded to tremendously difficult personal circumstances with enormous courage and strength. Your inspiring fundraising work for ‘Prostate Cancer UK’ demonstrates your dedication to ensuring that men seek early diagnosis and I wish you every success in your extreme fundraising challenge in the Arctic later this year.”
Angela Culhane, Chief Executive at Prostate Cancer UK, said:
“We’re absolutely delighted to see Kevin receive the Points of Light award in recognition of the funds he’s raised to beat prostate cancer. His drive, determination, and passion to raise awareness of a disease – which kills one man every 45 minutes – is incredible. Kevin is an extraordinary man who, despite his own prognosis, continues to take on extraordinary challenges and wholeheartedly deserves this award.”
Kevin said:
“Since I was diagnosed with effectively terminal prostate cancer three years ago, it has become my mission to raise awareness and funds for ‘Prostate Cancer UK’ whilst I am still here. My legacy is to try to ensure that other families will not have to go through what mine are right now and in years to come when I am no longer here. By undertaking gruelling ultra-marathons and inspiring friends and colleagues to do their own challenges we have raised over £200,000 in those three years.
“I feel quite emotional and humbled that people think what I have done is in anyway special so to be honoured in this manner is unbelievable and a memory that my family and I will have forever, although much of the thanks must go to those who have supported me in so many ways.”
Kevin’s next big challenge is to compete in the 6633 Arctic Ultra, labelled as ‘The Toughest Foot Race In The World’ and we will keep you informed of his progress.
For more about Prostate Cancer UK and how you can help, visit their website.
We last week released a video with Neal Ardley supporting the charity’s work and this can be viewed below.