A local darts legend, who jumped out of a plane while raising thousands for a prostate cancer charity has urged men to get checked after being diagnosed with the condition himself.
Ian Tilley is a popular darts referee both locally in his hometown of Spalding and nationally having refereed at the very top of the sport.
He’s also been an active member of Team Darts, set up to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK alongside three time BDO world champion Martin ‘Wolfie’ Adams.
The 68-year-old Westminster Drive resident is scared of heights, but agreed to do a skydive for the charity in 2021, shouting ‘180’ as he leapt from 15,000 feet.
In January ‘Tarquin Tilley’ as he’s been known in the darts community since his first stint at the sport’s World Championships, was diagnosed with the condition he’d been raising awareness of for years.
The former butcher at Bennett’s and butchery manager for Grassmere, based at Vine House Farm, actually went to the doctor with another issue, but a blood test led to doctors recognising the prostate cancer.
He has ‘stage three’ which means the cancer has broken out of the capsule, but thankfully hasn’t spread further.
“I want to say, especially to men over 50, for goodness sakes get checked,” Ian said. “I think people have it in their head that it’s a finger up the bottom that’s needed, but it’s not, it’s just a simple PSA blood test.
“It is so easy to do.”
“I’ve been saying it to so many people.
“One of my friends went and had a very high reading and he’s going through treatment.
“It’s especially important for the over 50s.”
Ian, a dad of two and grandad of four, is currently enduring the initial treatment and attending Lincoln County Hospital every day for four weeks to have radiotherapy treatment.
“It’s hard,” he said. “Even on the good days the legs still feel very heavy, but hopefully it will do the trick.”
When asked what those at Team Darts made of his diagnosis, Ian said: “They just said it shows you are not invincible and you never know who and when something like prostate cancer will strike.
“It shows the importance of getting checked.
“I’m really proud of the money we’ve raised together.
“Martin just told me that he’d beat and I will too’.”
Martin told The Voice: “When I was going through my treatment Ian was very supportive especially at darts events.
“What prompted Ian to jump out of a plane is a mystery to me.
“We have both been involved with Team Darts for Prostate Cancer UK together with the two main people Tracy Fletcher and Danny.
“I’m sure Ian’s treatment will have been successful, and I will see him soon, I’m sure.”
