Article from the St Helens Star, Video Courtesy of Angela Powers & Sky Sports

RUGBY league recognised the incredible achievements of Steve Prescott when he was awarded a special honour named after the late Mike Gregory.

Former Saints full back Prescott, who has terminal cancer, was presented with the Spirit of Rugby League Award at the engage Super League Man of Steel dinner in Manchester on Monday night.

Despite his illness, the 35-year-old has completed a series of charity challenges along with friends – including the London Marathon, treks between rugby grounds across the country, and most recently the gruelling Carnegie Challenge, which involved cycling, rowing and running.

Steve, who lives in St Helens with wife Linzi and their two children, was diagnosed in 2006 with a rare form of the cancer called Pseudomyxoma Peritonei, which affects the abdominal region.

He underwent major surgery to remove a tumour and chemotherapy, however, the disease is incurable.

Prekky has displayed an indomitable fighting spirit, with fundraising efforts amassing thousands for The Steve Prescott Foundation, which supports the Christie Hospital and the Rugby League Benevolent Fund. According to the RFL, the Spirit of Rugby League Award recognises and acknowledges individuals whose career in the game has consistently reflected the core values of the sport over an extended period of time and who have made a significant and positive contribution to rugby league.

It is named in memory of Mike Gregory, the former Great Britain and Warrington captain, who sadly passed away in 2007 aged 43 after a four-year battle with a neurological disease