SUNDAY marks the first anniversary of the passing of Steve Prescott – a man who despite being tragically taken so soon managed to pack so much into his 39 years.

The former Saints and Hull full back inspired a generation with the way he reacted to his terminal cancer diagnosis by undertaking a series of extreme challenges which raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charities close to his heart.

But as much as that money is important and has helped people and, thanks to the continuing work of the Steve Prescott Foundation, will help more in the future – it was about more than hard cash.

Under his oft repeated mantra of ‘what the mind believes the body achieves’ Steve adopted a never ever give up approach with which he tackled his numerous physical challenges but more importantly to his fight for life.

That spirit did not die with Steve’s passing and he has left a legacy that is seen today on two levels.

Tomorrow evening’s Pride of St Helens awards and next March’s now annual St Helens 10k run are tangible evidence of the impact of Steve’s drive to do something positive for his community.

But as important is the way his outlook has rubbed off on the people his life, words and deeds touched – and they are the ones carrying the torch onwards.

I came across an example of that the other week when a middle aged bloke told me that he had read Steve’s autobiography One in a Million. Although he admitted to crying on every other page towards the end, it convinced him to stop being a couch potato and has resolved to run the St Helens 10k.

One in a Million is currently taking pride of place on a few store bookshelves alongside household names Kevin Pieterson, Brian O’Driscoll, Rio Ferdinand, Roy Keane and Gareth Thomas – but it deserves to pick up a readership that goes way beyond the M62 corridor.

The book is not a rugby book, nor is simply the life story of an exceptional human being, it is a manual to inspire people.

I would say to anyone if you want to inspire someone this Christmas, give them this book about a remarkable man.

The book is available to order online from the Steve Prescott Fund at spfund.co.uk, and is also on sale locally in Wardleworths and at the Saints superstore, priced £17.99.

As for Sunday, it would be good if everyone who was touched by Steve’s work marked his anniversary by doing something positive – either for themselves or their community – no matter how small.