On Monday, 2 September, MC member Ian Byrne and former MC members Stephen Monaghan, Kieth Culvin and John Nicolson will join Brian Omar and others to walk the Camino de Santiago to raise money for prostate cancer support.

Lifelong Liverpool fan and SOS member Brian is one of a group of men with prostate cancer who formed Lads at Larks – a group who meet every few weeks, where they can talk freely and openly over a cup of tea or coffee, with the primary aims to help each other through their prostate cancer journey and spread awareness to others to get tested.

A few months ago the group, based at the Larks, part of the Marina Dalglish Appeal (MDA) centre, decided they wanted to do something to raise money and from a chat in the pub – some of Brian’s family and friends had discussed ‘walking the Camino’ over a few drinks in the Fulwood Arms, Aigburth – the challenge was underway.

The group taking part next week has grown considerably since that first conversation and on Monday more than 50 will join Brian flying from Liverpool John Lennon Airport to Porto to begin the challenge.

The Camino de Santiago, also known as the Way of St. James, is a series of walking paths spanning Europe that converge in Santiago de Compostela, in northwest Galicia, Spain. The Lads at Larks support group will walk a 75-mile stretch from Tui, on the Spanish/Portuguese border, aiming to reach Santiago de Compostela six days later on Sunday 8 September.

All funds raised will go towards robotic surgery equipment for the treatment of prostate and kidney cancer – a robotic system used to remove the prostate on men diagnosed with prostate cancer has already been purchased and is now used at the Royal Liverpool Hospital.

We wish Lads At Larks all success in their challenge next week. As they set off, we and many taking part will also be thinking of the late Paul Rice, a founder member and former chair of SOS, who often spoke about the challenge of the Camino and his wish to take part had he recovered from illness.

If you’d like to support Lads At Larks, you can do so here on their Just Giving page.