A BRAVE and inspiring man who is preparing to tackle a half marathon after beating prostate cancer has raised thousands of pounds for charity. 

Andrew Deex, of Great Oakley, was only 41 when he started to feel unusually lethargic, eventually going to the doctors a few weeks later after his wife made him.

After a few months and following a biopsy, in March 2023 Andrew was diagnosed with prostate cancer, before his prostate was removed in a successful operation.

Andrew is now running the London Landmarks half-marathon in April to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Celebration - (Left to Right) Andrew Deex, Luke Mills, Lis Standen, and Katie DeexCelebration - (Left to Right) Andrew Deex, Luke Mills, Lis Standen, and Katie Deex (Image: Submitted)

Amazingly, £5,000 in donations has been generated after Andrew organised a wine, cheese, and quiz night last Friday, as well as a Saturday race night organised by Trev Lewis, Darren Deex, and others. 

The winning team, led by Jenny Leeks, was presented with Prosecco, a two-tier cake from Mimi’s kitchen, and artwork by up-and-coming artist Alix Blaikie-Still - a fire engine as a tribute to Andrew’s work in the fire service.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Delicious - The wine, cheese, and quiz nightDelicious - The wine, cheese, and quiz night (Image: Submitted)

While the top raffle winners of the night were Stacey King who walked away with the Deli 141 Hamper and the Greater Anglia voucher, and Rob Pratt who was delighted with the Kay Mills Lifestyle Hamper.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Competition - People competed in groups for over 50 prizes from local and interntional businesses Competition - People competed in groups for over 50 prizes from local and interntional businesses (Image: Submitted)

Katie Deex, Andrew’s wife, said: “We would like to thank everyone for their kindness, support, and overwhelming generosity.

“We never expected to raise this much money, we sold more than 1,500 raffle tickets within the first 30 minutes. We are just so grateful.”

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Prizes - The lucky raffle winners' prizesPrizes - The lucky raffle winners' prizes (Image: Submitted)

Lis Standen, who was the ‘Quiz Mamma’ for the evening, said: “We were completely blown away by the support on the night.

“The quiz results were so close and everyone did really well - but we all know they were there for the raffle.”

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Race - The Saturday race night organised by Trev Lewis (left) and Darren Deex, Jamie Lynch, Jez Downs, Lian Meachen, Mike Carran, Marcus Poston, Tim Coyles, Rob Newlyn, and Jules LawrenceRace - The Saturday race night organised by Trev Lewis (left) and Darren Deex, Jamie Lynch, Jez Downs, Lian Meachen, Mike Carran, Marcus Poston, Tim Coyles, Rob Newlyn, and Jules Lawrence (Image: Submitted)

Meanwhile, host and friend Luke Mills said in his opening speech: “If you are experiencing any symptoms or you're not really sure - get yourselves checked out.

"And ladies, if your partner, brother, son, your friend is complaining of any of those symptoms - be like Katie, encourage them to go to the doctors.”