THE wife of a man battling prostate cancer is determined to keep a smile on people’s faces as she looks to repeat the success of an event she organised last year.

Tony McNulty, from Heaton, was diagnosed with the disease in 2015 and underwent chemotherapy in the following year.

The 62-year-old’s condition isn’t curable, but it can be controlled and he is currently doing well while receiving treatment.

Last year his wife Sheila, aged, organised The Happy Walk, a 5.5 mile stroll from Bolton Hospice to The Crown public house in Horwich.

The event attracted 40 walkers and raised £2,200 for Prostate Cancer UK, a charity which campaigns for men with the condition to receive the best treatment and care.

Now Mrs McNulty, who works for North West Ambulance Service, is looking to repeat the success of inaugural Happy Walk, and is calling on people to join later this month.

Mrs McNulty, aged 61 said: “I want it to be a day full of smiles, Tony has got this condition, but he is the most positive person you could ever meet.

“We are doing it with a smile on our faces. It’s called Happy Walk because it’s a happy event.

“Regardless of age or capability we will do it as slow or as fast as people need.

“People made friends on the day last year and I know people have kept in touch since, so I think I’ve picked the perfect name calling it Happy Walk.

“Everything’s not doom and gloom just because Tony is carrying this huge burden.”

She added that the walk had given her something to put her energies into.

“I feel it gives me something to focus on because, as a family you feel everything, and I just feel we are giving something back,” she said.

“I didn’t even know what prostate cancer was until Tony was diagnosed with it; how ignorant is that? It’s such a silent killer and there are so little symptoms, so not only do I want to raise money but I want men to be aware of men’s health.

“If Tony had visited the doctor earlier on with the slightest symptom we would not be where we are now, so awareness is very important to me.”

And Mrs McNulty is anxious for the event to attract more walkers and raise more money than last year.

She said: “I was shocked at the end everyone was saying are you doing it again next year, so I said yes, and it’s pretty much on the same day again.”

Mrs McNulty said her husband had given the walk '100 per cent support' last year and is doing the same this time round.

“He thinks it’s wonderful and our friends and family have been amazing.

“It gives us the feel-good factor to be honest. Last year we had mums, dads, grandparents, dogs, children all walking up Chorley New Road and we were at The Crown before we knew it.

“It was lovely and I want to mirror that day again.”

Mr and Mrs McNulty are both big Wanderers fans and are hopeful that they will again be joined on the walk by Whites legend and community ambassador Tony Kelly.

After the walk there will be a raffle of prizes given by stores such as Morrisons, Costa, Starbucks and Nandos, who all donated to the cause after being approached by Mrs McNulty.

The Happy Walk takes place on Saturday, September 23. Those who wish to join the walk should meet at Bolton Hospice, off Chorley New Road, at 10am.

Entry is £10 for adults and £5 for children, which can be paid online or at justgiving.com/fundraising/sheila-mcnulty1

To contact Mrs McNulty email her at rosebern2@hotmail.com