Former England manager Roy Hodgson showed his support for Prostate Cancer UK as the charity unveiled a memorial in Bristol which paid tribute to those lost to the disease – including much-missed Mail Sport journalist Ralph Ellis.
Hodgson, now in charge of Championship club Bristol City, joined supporters on Friday at an event at the city’s Temple Meads railway station, where an eye-catching installation takes pride of place from May to November.
The 10-foot tall, mirrored steel pyramid is dedicated to the memory of the husbands, fathers, uncles and grandads lost too soon.
Around 630 names are already engraved, with the number increasing as the memorial tours the UK and people buy a permanent name engraving to celebrate the life of a loved one lost to prostate cancer.
Hodgson said: ‘I’ve supported the work of Prostate Cancer UK for many years, and it was an honour to visit the Prostate Cancer Memorial on Friday. It’s a really special installation, and I was very humbled to take a closer look and see the names of so many that have been lost to prostate cancer.
Roy Hodgson visits the memorial at Bristol Temple Meads station on Friday
‘Football is a force for good and a perfect way to spread important messages like this. I’ve proudly worn the charity’s ‘Man of Men’ pin badge for many years on touchlines up and down the country, and it’s a cause very close to my heart.”
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, with more than 63,000 men diagnosed every year. By taking the memorial across the UK the charity aim to raise awareness about the disease, whilst providing an opportunity for people to see their loved one’s name on the installation.
Football journalist Ralph Ellis worked at the Western Daily Press in Bristol, the Birmingham Evening Mail and Daily Star before joining the Mail as a sports news editor. He died in 2018 at the age of 62.
Figures from around the sport, including managers Tony Pulis and Ian Holloway, paid tribute to Ralph after his death and to celebrate his life, his family have had his name added to the memorial.
Mail Sport journalist Ralph Ellis (right) with former England goalkeeper Ray Clemence and son and former Spurs star Stephen Clemence
Ralph’s son Matt said: ‘It is nearly eight years since we lost Dad, but it is still so painful, and he is never far from my thoughts. My two boys are now 14 and almost 10, and the fact he is missing how they are growing up and not being able to take them to play golf or to football training always makes me sad.
‘The work that Prostate Cancer UK does for awareness and treatment is so important and cannot be overstated. Physical reminders like the Memorial really highlight how many people are affected by this disease and the terrible impact it can have on people’s lives. I would encourage all men to understand their risk of the disease as early diagnosis is key.’
The pyramid structure, which also has the charity’s Man of Men logo adorning one of the sides, was launched in November 2021 and stood in London Bridge railway station for several months. It has also travelled across the UK in places including Liverpool, Edinburgh, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Glasgow, Cardiff, Southampton and Lincoln.
It also includes tributes to much loved broadcaster Bill Turnbull, legendary former England cricketer Bob Willis, the father of comedian and former I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! winner Joe Pasquale, and father of TV presenter Jenny Powell.
Visit: https://prostatecanceruk.org/get-involved/the-prostate-cancer-memorial
