Prostate Cancer UK set to bring football rivals together
Men’s health charity Prostate Cancer UK is set to bring football rivals together as part of its campaign to raise funds and awareness of the disease.
The charity has agreed new partnerships with two sets of traditional local rivals: East Midlands clubs Derby County and Nottingham Forest; and London’s Millwall and Queens Park Rangers.
The deals with the EFL Championship teams will see the clubs unite off the pitch throughout the 2018-19 season.
Activities will include charity collections at matches, special stadium events and participation in Prostate Cancer UK’s ‘Football to Amsterdam’ cycle ride, returning for a seventh year in June 2019.
The new agreements follow a six-year charity partnership between the English Football League (EFL) and Prostate Cancer UK which saw the charity’s ‘Man of Men’ logo feature on the shirts of all 72 EFL member clubs.
Prostate Cancer UK claims its relationship with the league will continue “in legacy”, including via support for the annual 145-mile cycling event, over the next two years.
Jake Martens, football project manager at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “Taking prostate cancer to the terraces gives football fans an opportunity to engage with what can be viewed as a scary subject in the comfort of familiar surroundings, whilst also building trust and becoming familiar with the charity.
“Through these partnerships, Prostate Cancer UK will continue to use the power of football to increase fundraising and awareness by reaching men at higher risk and supporting those going through prostate cancer.”
The campaign has been praised by Chelsea and England legend – and now Derby County manager - Frank Lampard, who said: “To know that we will lose one man to prostate cancer every 45 minutes is a shocking and saddening stat, and one that we need to confront and tackle head on. More than 11,000 men die of prostate cancer ever year.
“I’ve worn Prostate Cancer UK’s Man of Men pin badge and I know Derby have backed the charity’s work in lots of ways over many seasons now.
“It’s excellent to see the club are continuing that strong support during the 2018/19 campaign.
“Football remains a fantastic vehicle for driving awareness and raising funds to combat the disease which will affect one in eight men in their lifetime.
The ‘rivalry’ partnerships form part of a hat-trick of new Prostate Cancer UK activity in football in 2018-19.
The brand has also become the Official Charity Partner of the Vanarama National League, as well as teaming up with League One club Southend United as its official shirt sponsor.
In addition, Prostate Cancer UK has committed to continuing its well-established relationships with Non-League Day, the League Managers Association (LMA), and the Walking Football Association (WFA).