A KIDDERMINSTER woman who lost her dad to prostate cancer but took part in a golf fundraiser in his memory less than a day later has shared her story.
Emily Hyde has spoken out on the importance of raising awareness of prostate cancer after she faced her first Father’s Day without dad, John, on Sunday.
The day after she lost her dad, in June 2025, she took part in The Big Golf Race, playing 72 holes of golf while raising cash for Prostate Cancer UK.
Emily has always been a keen golfer and loved sharing that time with her dad.
She said: “It’s the feeling of getting to play with dad, he was the person that I wanted to be with and play with as I was growing up.
“I have so many memories where he really supported me and helped me grow into the golfer that I am today.
“It was just pure shock being told that your dad has cancer and he probably won’t get through it.
“He was a tough man and I just never thought that something like that could happen to him.
“When he did get that diagnosis, I naively thought ‘of course dad would get through it’.
“Unfortunately, it was just too late.
“It was this weird kind of therapy playing golf the day after – we already had it planned before he passed.
“It helped me really get through what happened by doing something he loved, knowing that we were doing something for a great cause and being supported by friends and family.”
Having lost her father, Emily wants to help make sure other families do not go through the same thing.
She added: “It’s not even been a year, and he’s missed out on his first grandchild, my daughter Evie.
“He got diagnosed too late – an early diagnosis could have really helped him.
“I really think it’s important men talk to each other and golf courses are a great place for that.”
The Big Golf Race has been taken on by 350 teams across the country and has already raised over £600,000 for Prostate Cancer UK.
People can organise their own Big Golf Race and take on 36, 72 or 100 holes in one day.
Visit biggolfrace.prostatecanceruk.org/ for more information and to sign up.
