For some, spending a week at one of our centres is the best fit for their recovery. For others, digital and telephone support works better. No two people are the same.
For Devon and Somerset Station Manager Ben Weedon, 50, who lives just 25 minutes from Harcombe House – our centre in Devon – the Outpatients Programme proved ideal. It helped him rebuild his fitness and confidence following a prostate cancer diagnosis… and now, he’s back on the run.
Source: sportograf.com
Our Outpatients Programme is designed for those who live close enough to attend regular, shorter sessions – typically weekly or fortnightly appointments – that fit around work and family commitments.
For Ben, that came hand in hand with a tailored plan to follow at home, and it made a huge difference to his recovery.
“I was diagnosed with prostate cancer on 12 August, 2024, says Ben. “I hadn’t massively had warning signs, but I’m just over 50 and my colleague signposted me to have a PSA test. I’m really keen to encourage other firefighters to go for the test now.
Source: sportograf.com
“Everything moved fairly quickly from there, fortunately, and I had the diagnosis quite quickly. It hit hard to be honest… I’d had my suspicions when they brought my last appointment forward, but hearing the words ‘you have cancer’ hit like a bowling ball.
“I had surgery that November and spent the months that followed recovering, physically and mentally.
“My role is very physical, as well as my outside interests – I do a lot of ultra marathons. So I knew I needed to get back to a certain level of fitness, and I wanted to aid my recovery as much as possible. Both my role and the running are really part of my identity, so establishing that I could get back to them had a knock-on positive effect on my mental health too.”
Following his surgery, Ben got chatting to some colleagues – one of whom had had prostate cancer himself – and they recommended he reach out to us.
“I reached out to the charity, as well as speaking with Prostate Cancer UK, and I was put in touch with one of the team at Harcombe House – a really top guy,” says Ben.
“I met with them and after an initial assessment they’ve been working with me, giving me fitness plans and doing anything they can to aid my recovery ever since, through regular outpatient appointments.
“I only live 25 minutes away from Harcombe, so they’re ideal for me. I’m lucky that my gym is round the corner too, so they gave me a plan to continue at home too – which has really helped my rehabilitation.
“I’m cancer free at the moment and back on the run, and I completed my first ultra marathon since the surgery recently. I’m so grateful for everything.”
For Ben, spreading the word about our support far and wide is a top priority now.
“I am now keen to fundraise whenever I can,” he adds. “Whatever you can give, no matter how big or small, it’s wonderful. I’m keen to make it an ongoing thing now and spread the word in the process.”
To support Ben’s latest fundraising, click here:
If you feel you’d benefit from our health and wellbeing support, you can call our Support Line on 0800 389 8820, make an enquiry online or visit the ‘Access Support’ tab in My Fire Fighters Charity.