Club staff, fans and media fundraisers urged to take on football’s biggest grassroots challenge in October to stop prostate cancer claiming a life every 45 minutes.
Prostate United, the UK’s largest grassroots football fundraiser, has launched a new shirt as an incentive for fans as they aim to reach a £1 million target for Prostate Cancer UK this season.
Former England footballer Viv Anderson lent his support at the launch event in Manchester on Wednesday (September 4), highlighting the ambitious goal of Prostate United for the year.
Since starting in 2018, over 60 football clubs—both professional and non-league—along with hundreds of staff and fans, have taken part in daily walking, running, or cycling throughout October to raise funds for men’s health. Prostate United 2024 promises to be bigger than ever.
This year, participants who raise £500 for the charity will receive an exclusive, limited-edition shirt. The unique Prostate United shirt was designed by Ed Cowburn from Acid FC, who has created kits for Leeds United and Walthamstow FC.
Inspired by the early 90s, the shirt’s pixelated pattern with a checkerboard effect incorporates the charity’s blue, black, and white colors. The number 45 on the front represents the fact that one man dies every 45 minutes from prostate cancer in the UK.
At the launch, Anderson, a long-time supporter of Prostate Cancer UK, praised the shirt. Having previously cycled from Yorkshire to Amsterdam for the charity, he reflected on his career and memorable football shirts from his time with clubs like Manchester United, Nottingham Forest, and Arsenal.
He said: “I’ve worn some iconic shirts in my career that bring back strong memories, from my debut for Man United in 1987 to the historic Nottingham Forest shirt when we won the European Cup. This Prostate United shirt is just as special, carrying a message all men need to hear, especially as black men are at twice the risk of prostate cancer. I’m proud to support this cause.”
Cowburn, based in Leeds, added: “I hope my designs spark joy and conversations. Prostate Cancer UK has done incredible work in football, and I hope fans look forward to supporting Prostate United each year while raising funds.”
Prostate United was created by performance coaches Stephen Gilpin and Ross Burbeary, who both worked at Rotherham United in the EFL. Over the past six years, their campaign has raised over £500,000 to combat prostate cancer, a disease that claims the life of one man every 45 minutes. This year, they aim to double that, reaching the £1 million mark.
Gilpin, who lost his grandfather to prostate cancer in 2012 and now works for Wolverhampton Wanderers, said: “Last season was special because of the widespread involvement of both football staff and fans. We hope to hit the £1 million goal this year by engaging even more supporters across the country.”
Burbeary, who now works for Huddersfield Town and joined Anderson and Cowburn at the launch, added: “We want even more clubs involved this year, from grassroots to the Premier League, to raise as much as possible for Prostate Cancer UK.”
Seren Evans, Head of Events and Community Fundraising at Prostate Cancer UK, expressed excitement about the 2024 campaign, saying, “This year will be the biggest yet for Prostate United. We’re thrilled to offer fundraisers a unique shirt and grateful to Ed for his design. Football, from the Premier League to grassroots, has played a crucial role in raising awareness about prostate cancer.”
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