A south west London club have encouraged more men to go for check-ups following their recent fundraising efforts for Prostate Cancer UK.
Keith Holloway, who sits on the club’s executive committee, was 53 when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer two years ago.
Mr Holloway said there is a macho attitude towards the PSA test, which results in an unwillingness to get checked out despite it being a simple process.
Referring to Corinthian Casuals’ fundraising efforts, which saw over £470 raised for Prostate Cancer UK, Mr. Holloway said: “It has definitely got people talking, which can only be a good thing, because it assures people with prostate cancer you can come out the other side.
“Cancer is such an all-encompassing, scary word, but it’s not necessarily the end – I’ve got every confidence I will be functioning, working, doing everything I can in the future.”
When he was diagnosed, Mr Holloway’s cancer was at an advanced stage, so he was lucky to catch it when he did.
His PSA levels have since come right down and he is on the road to recovery.
To raise money for Prostate Cancer UK, Corinthian Casuals FC held a bucket collection and crossbar challenge on Non-League Day.
The principal fundraising method saw the clubhouse converted into a Men United Arms.
From drip trays to beer mats, pin badges to balloons, the club decorated the bar and encouraged fans to round their pints to the nearest pound with proceeds going to charity.
The Men United Arms initiative, a national project established in 2015 by Prostate Cancer UK, encourages clubs, and bar licensees to sign up and raise money for the charity.
Since it was set up, over 500 pubs, bars and clubs have signed up to raise funds and awareness to help stop prostate cancer being a killer.
The fundraising initiative has raised over £120,000 so far, and plans to double that this year.
Prostate cancer kills a man every 45 minutes in the UK and based on current trends,without progress, this number will rise to over 14,500 men a year by 2026.
