FC United back Prostate Cancer UK and Non-League Day as they team up for fifth life-saving campaign

For a fifth successive season, Prostate Cancer UK will be the official charity partner of Non-League Day and FC United of Manchester have signed up to lend their support.

The annual event, which this year takes place on Saturday, October 13th, will see hundreds of football clubs from across the non-league pyramid encouraged to raise awareness and money for the charity.

FC United of Manchester hope fans will join them for the day which will involve FC United’s Walking Football Team taking on the Academy lads in a walking football match on the 3G pitches from 12.15pm.

Last year, Prostate Cancer UK raised £15,000 as more than 50 clubs joined the fight against the deadliest opponent of all, and this year’s day is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever, with clubs from across the Non-League pyramid joining forces in a jam-packed day of activity.

Captains of all the clubs involved will also lead by example in the fight against prostate cancer by donning a new captain’s armband on October 13th. The matches will see all skippers proudly displaying the unique bright orange band, which includes the iconic Prostate Cancer UK logo, to illustrate their clubs’ united stand against the most common cancer in men.

James Doe, founder of Non-League Day, said: “Prostate Cancer UK’s work across football goes from strength to strength but the statistics about the disease are still chilling. One man dies every 45 minutes so more than ever we need to raise awareness and funds to hit back.

“Reaching supporters, players and officials at all levels of our national game is massively important to changing this, and we hope that non-league clubs and their supporters will also adopt Prostate Cancer UK as a charity for the day and host themed events or fundraising activities.”

James Beeby, Director of Fundraising at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “The power of football consistently helps us reach out to men and their friends and families, and we are very grateful for FC United of Manchester’s support on Non-League Day as we continue to raise money and awareness throughout the grassroots game in innovative ways.

“We’re delighted once again that non-league fans will join the fight against prostate cancer and raise vital funds for Prostate Cancer UK. The money raised by clubs and their fantastic fans 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. We thank everyone involved for joining the fight.”

National League sponsor Vanarama has also rebranded to MANarama and pledged to raise £150,000 in just 43 days from a vehicle-leasing incentive that runs across September, as they tell the nation to ‘lease a van, save a man’. Vanarama and its newly-launched car leasing platform, Motorama, will donate £50 for every vehicle leased from the start of September until Non-League Day, when a cheque will be presented on October 13th at FC Halifax Town vs Chesterfield live on BT Sport. All National League captains will also wear the iconic armband.

Many people are unaware that prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. It’s a huge issue that cannot be ignored. One man will die from prostate cancer every 45 minutes in the UK. That’s over 11,000 men a 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.

If your club are interested in running an event for Prostate Cancer UK or are happy to let their volunteers into the ground on Non-League Day, please contact Seren Evans, Community Fundraising Manager, on 0203 310 7014 or seren.evans@prostatecanceruk.org.

Also, too show your support and get a Prostate Cancer UK ‘Man of Men’ pin badge to wear with pride on Non-League Day, text BADGE to 70004 to donate £5* and help stop prostate cancer being a killer. For information about the badge and the charity’s work in football visit prostatecanceruk.org/whostheman.

* Text costs £5 plus network charge. Prostate Cancer UK receives 100% of your donation. Obtain bill payers permission. Customer care 0800 082 1616. Charity No 1005541.