Prescott recovering in hospital following 48 hour endurance event (From St Helens Star)

Steve Prescott recovering in hospital following 48 hour endurance event

3:30pm Tuesday 9th October 2012 in News

THE inspirational cancer battler Steve Prescott is recovering in hospital after being taken ill following the gruelling 48 hour Race to the Grand Final.

The challenge, which saw Prescott swim, run cycle and canoe his way from Hull to Manchester, left the former Saints player significantly drained and he reported experiencing severe stomach pains on Sunday afternoon.

As the pain worsened the 38-year-old, who was diagnosed with a rare form of incurable abdominal cancer in 2006, was admitted to hospital on Monday evening.

A statement released by Prescott’s charitable foundation on Monday said that following a series of tests doctors have established that, due to the rigours of the challenge, he lost a substantial amount of natural fuels and fluids, including electrolytes, meaning his bowel was unable to function.

Doctors prescribed a range of treatments while gradually bringing his fluid levels back to normal.

He was also administered a course of morphine to relieve the pain and remained in hospital overnight under observation.

This morning, Tuesday, October 9, Steve, was said to be responding well to treatment but will remain in hospital, under medical observation, for the next day or so.

On Saturday the former rugby league full back successfully completed his latest endurance challenge staged to raise money for his Foundation, which supports The Christie cancer hospital in Manchester and the Rugby League Benevolent Fund.

The Race to the Grand Final saw Steve and a squad of supporters run across the Humber Bridge, swim one mile in open water, cycle from Hull to Liverpool where they swam the Mersey, before running between Liverpool and Runcorn.

Finally, they canoed up the Bridgewater Canal to Old Trafford in Manchester before Steve handed over the match ball ahead of kick off.

If you would like to donate to Steve’s effort please go to justgiving.com/StevePrescott1