When Sheila McNulty led her ‘Happy Walk’ on Saturday, September 28, one name was on everyone’s lips – Tony McNulty.

The event was not only in memory of her husband of 49 years and raising money for Bolton Hospice, it was also a walk supported by him before his death from prostate cancer earlier this year.

When Tony, a 69 year-old father of two sons Paul and Sean, grandfather of four and a loving father-in-law, was first diagnosed in 2016, the cancer had already progressed invasively.

He had chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment at The Christie Hospital over the next eight years. During this time, Tony and Sheila discussed an event to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK.

“It is such a horrible, silent disease,” stated Sheila. “Tony had no symptoms before his diagnosis so it was a real shock and we also wanted to raise awareness.”

Together, they came up with the idea of holding a 5.5 mile sponsored walk along Chorley New Road, culminating at the Crown pub in Horwich with a bumper raffle. They began holding these annual walks five years ago.

Sadly, Tony’s condition deteriorated and in August last year, his treatment at The Christie was halted. In January this year, he came to us for treatment for an infection.

“Neither of us knew anything about the hospice and I think, like many people, we had real reservations about it,” she said.

“When we arrived, though, we immediately realized how wrong we’d been. The staff were amazing – so lovely and thoughtful. They wrapped their arms around us, gave us hugs and looked after us all straight away.”

Tony was able to go home again on Valentine’s Day. “He gave me a Valentine’s card he had helped make at the craft sessions at the hospice’s Wellbeing Hub and a red rose,” stated Sheila.

“He was so excited to give me the card – like a little boy. Now, that rose has pride of place in my home and the card will be there on Valentine’s Day next year even though Tony won’t be.”

Tony was re-admitted to the hospice in March and passed away there on March 21.

“But in all the time he was in the hospice, and throughout all the consultations, we were all treated with genuine care and concern from the staff, the volunteers – everyone,” added Sheila.

So this year, the annual charity walk was held in aid of Bolton Hospice, and raised an incredible £3,000, to help care for even more people like Tony.