Leeds March for Men

Prostate Cancer UK launches Leeds March for Men

Gemma Oaten to front local walk

Prostate Cancer UK is searching for walkers in Leeds to help put their best foot forward and March for Men.

The leading men’s health charity’s bid to beat prostate cancer will see a series of epic mass participation walks unveiled across the UK in June and beyond - starting with Roundhay Park in Leeds.

Showing her support, former Emmerdale and Holby City actress Gemma Oaten, is set to front the march and walk on the day with her Dad on Sunday 18^th June (Father’s Day) at Roundhay Park in Leeds.

Gemma, whose Dad has had prostate cancer, said: “I have seen the effect that prostate cancer can not only have on a man, but also on a whole family. When my dad was diagnosed with stage 3 aggressive prostate cancer, it was terrifying to think we could lose him. I’m so grateful that he is here with us today and we are able to all take part in the Leeds March for Men, knowing that he is ok. However many men are not!

“I really encourage everyone to come and take part in the walk on Father’s Day, 18th June. It’s about getting the whole family together, having a lot fun but most importantly raising as much awareness of the disease and funds for Prostate Cancer UK that we can. I know that if Dad had left it any later to go and get checked, he may not be here to walk with us in June. By joining in this event, everyone can help spread the message about prostate cancer and help us stop it being a killer.”

Providing a choice of distances around a circular route, the Leeds March for Men starts and finishes at an event village where there will be food, drink, music and a chance to find out more about the charity’s work.

The event forms part of Prostate Cancer UK’s wider walking programme, March for Men, which includes a trio of Local Walks across Father’s Day weekend, in London on June 17th and Leeds and Glasgow 24 hours later. The charity will also be encouraging supporters to hold their own marches to try and raise £1million through walking in 2017.

The launch comes hot on the heels of intrepid television presenter Jeff Stelling lacing up his walking boots once more in another unbelievable walking challenge for Prostate Cancer UK.

The long-standing Soccer Saturday host is aiming to raise £500,000 on his March for Men, walking 15 marathons in 15 days at the start of June, stopping off at numerous football grounds up the country, including Yorkshire clubs Huddersfield Town, Barnsley FC, Bradford City, Harrogate Town, Bedale Town and Ripon City.

Over 3,690 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the Yorkshire and Humber region each year, with almost 1,000 men dying from the disease, and over 22,900 living with and beyond prostate cancer.

Angela Culhane, Chief Executive at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “We are thrilled to announce the launch of March for Men – Prostate Cancer UK’s new walking programme aiming to bring people together throughout the UK to celebrate the lives of those who’ve beaten prostate cancer and to remember those who have been sadly lost to the disease.

“Currently one man an hour dies from prostate cancer in the UK. 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. Money raised through March for Men will have a huge impact on the lives of those affected by the disease and will help bring us a few steps closer to stopping prostate cancer being a killer.

“Roundhay Park is the perfect location for us to host the Leeds March for Men this June, and we encourage others to put their best foot forward, as Gemma Oaten is doing, and join us for what is expected to be a great day.

“On average we take over 216 million steps in our lifetime, that’s over 110,000 miles. So why not make your steps count by Marching for Men. It’s a few small steps for you, one giant leap for Men.”

To sign up to the Leeds March for Men, visit marchformen.org

The registration fee is £10 per adult. Children under 16 are free but have to be accompanied by a guardian over 18. There is a suggested fundraising target of £50 and walkers receive a t-shirt.

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NOTES TO EDITOR

For more information, please contact Ellie Brooke, PR Manager at Prostate Cancer UK, on 020 3310 7135 or at ellie.brooke@prostatecanceruk.org.

About March for Men

March for Men brings people together throughout the UK to celebrate the lives of those who’ve beaten prostate cancer and to remember those who have been lost to the disease. March for Men provides an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends, whilst raising funds for vital research, which will stop prostate cancer being a killer. The charity aims to raise £1million through the programme which is made up of four key events.

Three Local Walks, held over circa 2.5km, 5km and 10km will take place across Father’s Day weekend, in London on June 17th and Leeds and Glasgow 24 hours later. The London walk will be held at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London E20 1DY, Roundhay Park, LS8 2HH, will host the Leeds event. The Glasgow March for Men will be held at Pollok Country Park, G43 1AT

Averaging 15 walking marathons in 15 days, Jeff’s March for Men will take him 400 miles from Exeter City FC to Newcastle United FC from June 2-16, 2017. Along the route he will also be joined by club chairs, chief executives, managers, League Manager’s Association members, former players and commercial sponsors to raise further awareness and funds.

The charity will also be encouraging supporters to hold their own marches to try and raise £1million through walking in 2017.

Money raised will be used to 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 have a huge impact on the lives of those affected by the disease and will help bring us one step closer to stopping prostate cancer being a killer.

Jeff’s route and dates are below (and regional statistics on prostate cancer are available on request).

About Prostate Cancer UK

• Prostate Cancer UK has a simple ambition – to stop men dying from prostate cancer.
• As the number of men diagnosed with prostate cancer continues to rise (making it the most common of all cancers by 2030), now is the time to take control. Through shifting the science over the next 10 years to focus on radical improvements in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and support, we will stop prostate cancer being a killer.
• oIgnoring prostate cancer won’t beat it, so join the fight.

Key Headline Statistics

• More than 11,000 men die from prostate cancer in the UK each year – that's one man every hour.
• It’s the most common cancer in men, with over 330,000 living with and after the disease in the UK.
• Prostate cancer is set to become the most commonly diagnosed cancer of all in the UK by 2030 - which is why we must all act now to curb its power to kill.
• Men over 50, black men and men with a family history of prostate cancer all face a higher than average risk of the disease.
• Prostate cancer treatment often causes devastating, long term side-effects. Incontinence and erectile dysfunction strike at the heart of what it means to be a man.
• Anyone with concerns about prostate cancer 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.
• Visit prostatecanceruk.org now to help beat this disease.

ENDS