A group of leading British sporting identities have teamed up to help boost prostate cancer research.

Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling, former England and Manchester City star and prostate cancer survivor Mike Summerbee, and two-time world boxing champion Johnny Nelson are among those taking part in the initiative launched by Prostate Cancer UK.

The charity will share new statistics showing prostate cancer has become the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Britain for the first time – a development which has come 10 years earlier than previously predicted, due mainly to increased awareness.

While considerable research has been conducted into the disease, the Covid-19 crisis had “put much of this research at risk”, the charity said in a statement, while calling for support to raise the millions of pounds it says is required “to get prostate cancer research back on track”.

Also joining the campaign are former US Masters golf champion Danny Willett, former Leeds Rhinos rugby league captain Kevin Sinfield, and triple BDO World darts champion Martin Adams, who is living with prostate cancer.

Stelling, Hartlepool-born and a Prostate Cancer UK ambassador, has raised more than £1million for the charity through a series of March for Men marathon walks.

“Prostate cancer being the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK is a sobering statistic,” Stelling said. “But this does mean that the message is getting out there about the dangers of this disease and that more people are having vital conversations about it.

“But these are difficult times for the charity. Research has stopped and we desperately need to develop a screening programme to improve the outcome for men, so we need to keep on fundraising as much as we can.

“I’ve been in the research labs, and there are some mighty talented and dedicated people who are working their socks off to find effective treatments for prostate cancer. The sooner those treatments come along then the happier me and some of my close friends affected by prostate cancer will be.”

Lauren Clark lost her husband, England cricket legend Bob Willis, to prostate cancer in December 2019.

Joining the charity’s calls for more investment in research to develop better tests for prostate cancer, she said: “I know only too well the impact prostate cancer has, not just on the men who get it, but their wives, partners and families. This news just goes to show that there is so much that needs to be done, and no time to waste.

“I want Bob to have a legacy, and that’s why I’m supporting Prostate Cancer UK’s campaign to get this research back on track and find treatments and tests that will help men like him in the future.”

Despite face to face fundraising activities being postponed this summer following the Government’s social distancing measures, the charity has a range of virtual activities available people can choose from to join and donate to.

Find out more about the impact of Covid-19 on research or donate to Prostate Cancer UK at prostatecanceruk.org/urgentappeal.