A cancer charity have joined families in virtually thanking dads, by posting celebrations and tributes to mark Fathers Day.

In line with their mission statement Men, We Are With You, Prostate Cancer UK created an online space for dedications and tributes to dads and father figures as they shine a light on those affected by the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK.

Whether you are a dad, you have a dad or you’re remembering your dad, Prostate Cancer UK asked the public to share a message or tribute on the new Dedication to Dad wall, where those posting can also make a suggested donation, to help fund lifesaving research and to give men more Father’s Days.

Estelle Austin, 40, part-time administrator from Brentwood, was one of those paying tribute to a loved one who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Estelle's dad Brian was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018 at 69 when he requested a PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood test after hearing about the diagnosis of Bill Turnbull and Stephen Fry.

This followed on from seeing The Real Full Monty on TV, which was raising money for Prostate Cancer UK.

Estelle's children, Summer and Ethan, are very close to their grandad, who they refer to as Grumpy, and took part in the recent 2.6 challenge for Prostate Cancer UK. They raised a whopping £600.

Estelle, said: "Dad, you are a tower of strength and positivity, loving, supportive and a true gentleman – I could not be more lucky or proud to call you Dad. Happy Father’s Day! Love you so much."

Angela Culhane, Chief Executive at Prostate Cancer UK said: “The number of men with prostate cancer keeps rising and now for the first time ever, it has become the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK. We’ve reached this point much earlier than previously predicted, which is in part due to a big increase in awareness of the disease in recent years. 

“While it’s good news that more men have been having conversations with their GPs and being diagnosed earlier, it only serves to reinforce the need not only for better treatments which can cure the disease, but for better tests that can differentiate between aggressive prostate cancer that needs urgent treatment and those which are unlikely to ever cause any harm.

“We need research now more than ever, which is why it really is devastating that so much of it has been brought to a standstill by the Covid-19 crisis. Accelerating research to recover from this major setback will cost millions, but at the same time we’re predicting an unprecedented drop in our fundraising due to the impact of the pandemic.

“That’s why we’re asking for the public’s support during this difficult time, to help us secure the future of prostate cancer research.”  

To find out more about the celebration, visit https://prostatecanceruk.org/get-involved/fathers-day