Gary Dunnicliff, a 61-year-old Doncaster comedian performing as Gary Marshall for nearly four decades, has raised £8,500 for the Urology Department at Doncaster Royal Infirmary (DRI) after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in July 2024. He organised three sell-out comedy and variety shows over the past year to support the department that treated him.
Rapid diagnosis and treatment
In July 2024, Gary was referred to the urology department after doctors detected a raised prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level of 20ng/ml. A PSA test is a blood test that helps detect prostate conditions, including cancer or an enlarged prostate, according to NHS.UK. Within two weeks of referral, Gary received a prostate cancer diagnosis and underwent an MRI scan, biopsy, CAT scan, and full body scan. He was also prescribed hormone tablets to lower his PSA. Unfortunately, scans confirmed the cancer was metastatic, having spread from his prostate to his bone.
Gary said: “The Urology department has been brilliant with my treatment. It was amazing how quickly everything was done.” He added: “I know deep down what’s going to happen but to keep me going for this long – it’s great.”
Fundraising shows and community support
Gary has organised comedy afternoons for years to support various causes, but since his diagnosis, he has focused on the Urology Department. In March 2025, he hosted the first show at Woodfield Social Club, raising £1,000. The event featured acts such as MC Hammersmith, Hayley Ellis, Sean Percival, and Jamie Sutherland, alongside musical performances from Adrenaline 2 and John C Morgan. In September 2025, a show at Hawthorn Social Club raised £3,500 with comedians Jeff Innocent, Martin Gold, and Les Gibson, plus returning performers and musician Peter Jones. In February 2026, a third show raised £4,000. Each afternoon was a full house with around 160 guests, bringing the total to £8,500 to support patients at the hospital’s prostate clinic.
Gary said: “I’m delighted that I can give something back and help more men of my age.” He noted that one of his comedy afternoons each year will now be dedicated to supporting the urology team.
Personal care and treatment success
During chemotherapy in September 2024, Gary was offered a cold cap to reduce hair loss. A cold cap, or scalp cooling, lowers scalp temperature to narrow blood vessels and reduce blood flow, limiting chemotherapy’s impact on hair follicles. Gary said: “One of the nurses said I had a good head of hair and did I want to try the cold cap. I could only do it for 15 minutes maximum. Some people wear it for hours.” Thanks to the team’s fast actions, Gary’s PSA dropped significantly to 0.28ng/ml by September 2024. By January 2025, he completed chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and by June 2026, his PSA was 0.15ng/ml.
Sue Hill, cancer nurse specialist at DBTH, said: “Gary has shown remarkable positivity and determination throughout his treatment, and it has been a privilege for the team to care for him. He’s put his feelings aside to bring laughter to everyone else. They do say laughter is the best medicine. The decision to give something back through fundraising, while going through such an intense period himself, is incredibly generous. The funds Gary has raised will make a real difference to patients attending the prostate clinic, and we are extremely grateful for his support.”
Call for mandatory prostate screening
One in eight men will receive a prostate cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, according to Prostate Cancer UK, yet there is no national NHS screening programme. Gary said: “Similar to breast and cervical screening, prostate checks should be mandatory from the age of 50 as early diagnosis can make such a difference.”
Gary concluded: “I just want to say a big thank you to everyone at the Urology Department for all the care I have received. Thank you for keeping me alive.”
