A FORMER Prestatyn Town and Ruthin Town centre-half has put his football fitness to the ultimate test on behalf of his grandfather's charity.

Will Ashley, 22, braved a gruelling, 24 obstacle 10 mile Tough Mudder challenge filled with barbed wire and electric fences to raise £425 for the North Wales Prostate Cancer Support Group, chaired by his grandfather John Duckenfield.

The charity offers a support network for people living with the condition every three months at Glan Clwyd Hospital’s oncology ward, raises awarness and information on various treatments including surgery and hormonal options.

Will, originally of Abergele and currently playing for fellow Huws Gray Alliance side Gresford Athletic, said: "I would say the only way my football fitness helped was with the running in between obstacles.

“I don’t like being forced to go under water, so the most challenging one for me was called cage crawl.We had to crawl along a cage through a tube on ours back, with only your face above the water, and it felt like the tube went on for miles. A couple of them included electric wires -and water - barbed wire and ice."

Will, who is studying for a masters in sport and exercise science at Liverpool Hope University, was inspired to raise money for the cause after his grandfather's own battle with the condition.

Will added: "When my grandad was diagnosed I was a little too young to fully understand what the implications of cancer were on both the patient and the patient's family. Although the older I’ve got and having studied cancer as part of my university course, I’ve come to understand more and more and I look up to my grandad more than anyone.

"It’s extremely admirable that my grandad sought to become involved with such a support group having been through it himself I think it’s so important for people going through a similar experience that they’re able to surround themselves with people who know what it’s like, so I think the work done by my grandad and everybody associated with the group is amazing."

Mr Duckenfield said: "It means a great deal to see a young man like Will choose to support a charity like ours that many others are too reluctant or embarrassed to consider contacting."

Will said: "I think a lot of people my age grow up with the idea that cancer isn’t something you need to think about until you get a little older, but there’s more and more young people being diagnosed with various different types.

"There is an urgent need for young men to recognise to threat posed by prostate cancer, although I think the same can be said for all types of cancer."

The money raised by Will will be donated towards equipment for the hospital, as well as providing information leaflets to men living with prostate cancer."

The North Wales Prostate Cancer Support Group will next meet at the Oncology ward on Monday, October 29, at 7pm. For more information call Mr Duckenfield on 01745 823822.