Men United riders can’t be ignored as charity fights back against killer disease
Nine participants from Newport County AFC will be joining the fight against prostate cancer by taking part in this year’s Football to Amsterdam cycling challenge for Prostate Cancer UK as the charity aims to raise half a million pounds.
From Friday 3 June 2016 the County in the Community staff will be pounding the pedals from Oakwell Stadium to Amsterdam to support the leading men’s health charity against a disease that kills one man every hour.
Prostate Cancer UK, the Official Charity Partner of The Football League, will stage its fourth annual football fundraiser from 3-5 June 2016 – prostatecanceruk.org/amsterdam – and this year there is now not one but three Grand Departs. One group of riders will roll out of London from a new starting point at the iconic Olympic Park’s Velodrome, while two further groups will kick off at Barnsley FC’s Oakwell Stadium and at Portman Road, home of Ipswich Town FC.
Proudly representing Newport County AFC is Nathan Blake, Daniel Harvey, Liam Jenkins, David Lewis, Deiniol Parselle, Norman Parselle, Michael Pratt, Danielle Seivwright and Daniel Williams and they will join over 350 riders in Prostate Cancer UK’s Men United team, all riding 145 miles and raising money to stop prostate cancer being a killer.
The £500,000 raised will help ‘shift the science’ and crack the three core issues of diagnosis, treatment and prevention which have been left unsolved for too long. It will also help provide support and information to those affected by the disease.
From the initial event in 2013 with a small group of 35 riders, to a total fundraising tally which will smash through the £1m mark this year thanks to a biggest ever peloton; the football-themed cycling challenge has proved a phenomenal success throughout its four years.
James Beeby, Director of Fundraising at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “We’re delighted that Newport County AFC has decided to join the fight against prostate cancer and ride to raise vital funds for Prostate Cancer UK.
“Ignoring prostate cancer will not beat it, and the money raised by our fantastic riders will fund ground-breaking research to help fight the disease. That will help us provide dedicated support and information to men and their families affected by this disease.
“Our amazing cast of riders from across the UK show a brilliant demonstration of what we call Men United: people joining one team to fight a common opposition – prostate cancer.
“One man every hour dies from prostate cancer; it’s the most common cancer in men, but we want to make prostate cancer a disease that the next generation of men do not fear. We thank Newport County AFC for joining the fight and wish them every success in the event.”
Many people are unaware that prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. It’s a huge issue that cannot be ignored. In 2016 one man an hour will die from prostate cancer in the UK. That’s 10,900 men this year. Based on current trends, if we ignore prostate cancer and do nothing, this number will rise to over 14,500 men a year by 2026.
People are urged to search Men United and join the fight, and use #F2A to share stories and updates online.
To sponsor the riders representing Newport County AFC, please visit our JustGiving page by clicking HERE.
Ben Wright, Commercial Director of The Football League said: “We are proud of our partnership with Prostate Cancer UK and it’s great to see the Football to Amsterdam ride going from strength to strength in 2016.
“This is a great event and as a packed peloton of former internationals, ex-players, staff and supporters from clubs throughout The Football League saddle up in force, it once again highlights how the beautiful game and the Football League family can unite to make a game-changing contribution to men’s health.”
For more information about the ride, visit prostatecanceruk.org/amsterdam or contact the cycling team by calling 020 8222 7158 or emailing cycling@prostatecanceruk.org