Walking Football Scotland has chosen Prostate Cancer UK as their official charity partner and aims to educate and help raise awareness of the disease amongst its 1,800 members through regular communications, such as newsletters, awareness talks from charity volunteers and featuring the iconic Man of Men logo on event banners.
Members are also being encouraged to organise their own fundraising activities with money going towards vital research into the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is most common cancer in men with over 3,000 diagnosed in Scotland each year.
Men over 50, black men and men with a family history of prostate cancer all face a higher than average risk of the disease and treatment often causes devastating, long term side-effects such as incontinence and erectile dysfunction.
Chairman of Walking Football Scotland, Gary McLaughlin, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with and working alongside Prostate Cancer UK. Our members tend to be of an age who are most affected by prostate cancer. Although only males have a prostate gland, families can be dramatically changed by this disease. It is in the best interest of our male and female members to help, support and get involved.”
James Beeby, Associate Director of Fundraising at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “The power of football consistently helps us reach out to men and their friends and families, and we are excited to kick-off this new partnership with Walking Football Scotland.
“Walking football is one of the fastest growing past-times for older men and women in Scotland, and a perfect platform for us. This alliance will play a valuable role in raising awareness and encouraging men to know their risk of prostate cancer, as well as raising funds for vital research. It will also offer us an incredible opportunity to transform public awareness of a disease which kills over 900 men in Scotland every year.
“Our aim is to reach as many men as possible and encourage them to take responsibility for their health. We thank Walking Football Scotland for joining us in the fight against prostate cancer.”
To find out more about the partnership please contact scotland@prostatecanceruk.org
11.000 men die each year in the UK from this disease and anyone with concerns may contact Prostate Cancer UK’s Specialist Nurses in confidence on 0800 074 8383 or online via the Live Chat instant messaging service: www.prostatecanceruk.org/.
The Specialist Nurse phone service is free to landlines and open from 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday with late opening until 8pm on Wednesdays
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