Paul’s Story – full interview

Paul Dennington Interview

It is always a pleasure to talk to local heroes about their drive and determination to commit to a challenge for certain causes. In this instance we have had the pleasure to share the story of Paul Dennington through an interview.

Paul Dennington was diagnosed with prostate cancer in February 2021; the results were a terminal diagnosis where Paul was faced with the news that he had 5 to 8 years to live. At the time of diagnosis covid-19 was still high in incidence in the UK with 1 in 115 people testing positive at the time. (office for national statistics). This time was difficult for everyone with social distancing and restrictions, but even more so for those concerned with carrying a health condition.

Paul set out to raise awareness of prostate cancer after his diagnosis and raise money for Prostate Cancer UK from his challenges. He is now in his 5^th year post diagnosis and still smashing his personal challenges, supporting many other groups and clubs. He is a Medway legend as I am sure most of you have noticed his feats from many media outlets. He won the 2025 Pride in Medway overall winner award and was recently awarded the British Empire Medal in the King’s birthday honours for his outstanding contribution to prostate cancer fundraising and awareness.

This article is being presented to you in a question format, which is the easiest way to relay Paul’s story highlighting his physical activity participation throughout the process. Feel free to skip to the parts that interest you most or enjoy the whole article.

How did your diagnosis influence your next steps in life?

Overall, my reaction to the diagnosis is not what I would class as normal, I wasn’t angry, bitter or depressed but everyone reacts to life changes differently and I would not judge or challenge anyone’s reaction to a difficult diagnosis. The diagnosis did take some processing, and it was more the disappointment that it was not caught early enough to be cured. However, around medical assessments and appointments, I knew my next steps were to be positive. Not just for myself but for those around me. I wanted to get the most out of what time I had left, to make a small difference and leave a mark for myself and my family, to be a role model. This is how my goals, aspirations and challenges were born.

How important was it for you to set goals?

It was very important. I have always been very goal driven, especially with a background in sales as a job. I was given 5 -8 years to live and my response to this diagnosis was to say I had 10, because averages have outliers. This is not a time for me to be average, it was a target for me to beat. It is my way of sticking 2 fingers up at the cancer and cancer does not like a positive mindset.

Did you take part in physical activity prior to diagnosis?

Yes, I played competitive sport before I was diagnosed and had previously been health conscious. But I wouldn’t have classed myself as an endurance athlete. Not physically capable to have taken part in the challenges I am doing now. Because my diagnosis came around the time of covid, I was very wary about entering a gym environment. I felt the need to protect myself from catching any illness alongside taking my medication for treatment. Therefore, for a while I avoided physical activity apart from daily walks. I did what I could in that situation, but it was nowhere near as close to the physical activity I did prior to the covid outbreak.

What has been the hardest parts of staying physically active?

I had radiotherapy which did have side effects of fatigue, and the hormone therapy affects me in many ways like lack of sleep. I have not had a full night of sleep for over 4 years due to continual waking in the night. The hormone therapy has side effects that resemble menopause which can affect body temperature control and cognitive function. I believe I had arthritis prior to my diagnosis which has affected my legs and what my body can do. Aside from all of this, my goals and aspirations have kept me ticking through this process and it shows that you can achieve many things with a positive outlook despite implications. Returning to exercise after diagnosis and covid was difficult, but previous muscle memory pulled me through this from my previous physical activity experience.

What has been the most rewarding prospects of physical activity?

I have always had a competitive edge; I enjoy challenges and beating goals. This kept me positive and focused. I have lost much of the weight that I previously gained. I gained 2 stone of weight through covid and diagnosis, and I have lost 1 stone of that. My body is looking fairly healthy, I think that maybe I was under-weight prior to any of this.

Positive mindset is essential for fighting cancer and studies have shown that positive mindset and physical activity has an influence on outcomes alongside drug treatment.

Have you noticed the mental, social and emotional benefits from being active?

Socially, the challenges I have set up has had an impact on my life greatly. Friends have joined me on walks and in the last ‘March Through Life’ challenge I see people I had not spoken to in over 30 years. It can be really overwhelming with the way it has changed my life socially, but this has only spurred me on in return to give me the drive and determination to achieve. It has greatly supported my mental health and enabled me to get the word out there to others.

Tell us about your accomplishments so far.

My first aim was to complete 25 million steps in 5 years. That is roughly 14,000 steps a day, every day, for each year, for 5 years. This totals 6 miles a day on average and 40-50 miles a week.

So far, I have accomplished 22 million steps. (At the time of the interview).

My other challenge, which at the time I thought was a good idea was ‘March through life’.  I was just getting into my 5^th year of diagnosis. March through life was a campaign to walk through my life and reminisce. I started from where I was born in the Northeast to follow on and visit schools I had attended, the homes I had lived in, my workplaces, the university I had attended, sports clubs etc. So, my journey was not straight forward, it took me from the Northeast, through Yorkshire, Manchester, Liverpool, Wirral, Chester, Birmingham, Hertfordshire, Egham, Weybridge, Wimbledon, to finish in Kent, Medway to be precise where I live now. I covered on foot 588 miles over 36 days, which is 16.5 miles a day and there were no rest days. The least I walked was 12.5 miles on my last day to Medway, but the most I walked in one day was 19 miles. I had over 100 people greet and walk with me on my journey and I see many changes through the journey. The total raised for this event alone so far is £35,000. Quite an exercise, literally.

The total amount raised so far by myself and in my name is £123,000 for Prostate Cancer UK and this has been through many individuals, clubs and businesses.

What is your main aim with every challenge that you have set up and accomplished?

I needed to set big challenges to get everyone’s attention.

The 25 million steps challenge is a 12,000 miles distance on average, which is 1 mile for every person in the UK that dies from prostate cancer in a year. In fact, 45 minutes one man dies from prostate cancer in the UK according to statistics. My ultimate aim has been to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK but also to raise awareness.

10,000 men a year are caught too late with prostate cancer. For each person that may catch it in time from raising the awareness is another person saved and that gives me the drive in return to keep doing what I am doing.

From a personal perspective, I was given 5 to 8 years to live, but if I was accomplishing 14000 steps a day in 5 years’ time, I was already beating my prognosis. I am still carrying out this goal in my 5^th year.

Who has supported you on your journey?

My wife, she has been amazing, best of all she doesn’t talk me out of doing stuff, where others are recommending that I rest up. I do not want to rest up, I want to leave a mark, and she has supported me all of the way with that. All my children have been so supportive of my challenges, attended events alongside me, and collected awards on my behalf. As a family it has really brought us even closer together as a unit and the challenges have seen us through some amazing years together.

The support of complete strangers as well as friends is really powerful and gives me immense energy to keep going. I have met so many people on this journey. Medway has incredible people, and I could not be more grateful for the support I have received.

What advice would you give others facing life changes with a health condition?

Set goals, they do not need to big and brash, they need to be something that means something to you and set them at the level you are capable of or could be capable of. Make it a positive step for you to make it important.

Focus on what is possible, not what you can’t change. Think about what you can influence in your life as I did. Having the goals, challenges and reasons has helped with my mental health, fight against cancer and given me positivity. You can let it beat you or make the most of the life you have.

The stronger you are, the more you can do.

How important do you feel physical activity is for those with the same diagnosis as you?

Physical activity is very important. It improves treatment outcomes and the positivity counts.

Don’t fear physical activity, work at your level, for energy and strength both physically and mentally. There is a lot to do in Medway to support this.

How can others get involved with your goals and challenges?

I welcome anyone to join me for walks and participate in certain parts of the challenges I set. The support received from residents from Medway has been immense, and anything I can give back to the community also would be a pleasure, as well as drive my own positivity in return.

You can email myself at prostatepaul@outlook.com or find me on social media links such as Facebook and Instagram.

If you wish to contribute to the funds raised for Prostate Cancer UK please head over to my Just Giving page.

Interviewer and author: Rebecca McDonald- Physical Activity Specialist, Medway Council.