TWO Barry gym buddies have used the prostate cancer experiences of people close to them as inspiration for getting fit and fundraising for charity.

Friends, James Brown and James Jordan stepped up their exercise efforts to take part in Prostate Cymru’s Big Walk which saw them walk 30 miles from the Principality Stadium, Cardiff, to Kenfig Hill, Bridgend, on Saturday, June 11.

The pair hope to raise more than £400 and donations are still welcome.

Dad-of-two Mr Brown, 35, of Coronation Street, Barry, said: “A good mutual friend of myself and James died in the past year and there has been ill health in my family. Instead of moping and being too analytical I decided to be positive and joined the local Pumphouse 24hr gym to improve my stamina. The reason for taking part in the Big Walk was the belief of my improved fitness and willingness to do something positive and give back a little.

The seed was sown around May time. Myself and Jordan were attending Pumphouse gym twice weekly and seeing the results and decided to push ourselves out of our comfort zone.

“The walk went really well for first 20 miles but then needed first aid strapping.

“I was determined to finish even if I was walking like John Wayne playing a demented crab. I Just about crawled over the finish line

I hope the walk can achieve lots of money for the cancer charity which are making remarkable innovations such as the T cell injections. I also wanted to be an example for my two children.”

Mr Jordan, 36, of Cadoc Crescent, Barry, said he had decided to walk for prostate cancer as my father was affected by it seven years ago.

Mr Jordan said: “He is in remission now, but it’s a horrible disease that affects everyone. I also had a good friend pass away and rather than dwell on the situation decided ‘let’s get fit’.

“We got to the stadium and all fear or nervous feelings had gone. With 280 people stood on the pitch and walking for one thing it felt amazing all the way through.

Me and James egged each other on.

“If it was me on my own at some points I would have gone mad.

At one point we walked up one huge hill, then a little bit of a straight, then around a corner another huge hill and James saying ‘come on, no pain no gain’.

The feeling of achieving that at the finish thinking ‘I’ve done over a marathon’ is something that will never sink in.

I hope to get the message out there – ‘don’t be too scared to go to the doctor if something isn’t right’. I know men as a whole find it difficult sometimes admitting ‘yes something’s up’. Just go to the doctors - any niggle.”

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/JamesandJamesx2