Over £143,400 raised for Prostate Cancer UK

The fight against prostate cancer can take another step forward thanks to more than £143,400 raised for Prostate Cancer UK during a campaign by Lincolnshire Co-op.

One in eight men and one in four black men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK. The disease takes a life every 45 minutes, and while it’s only men who can develop it, partners, families and friends are also affected.

Men’s health charity Prostate Cancer UK is leading the fight against prostate cancer, and by funding vital research into diagnosis and treatment they aim to stop the disease from being a killer.

And together with members and colleagues, Lincolnshire Co-op has raised the six-figure sum through its Community Champions scheme to help bolster the charity’s work.

The money was presented to Prostate Cancer UK at Lincolnshire Co-op’s Holbeach Pharmacy, which is part of the Society’s community hub in Fleet Street alongside its Holbeach Food Store, post office and community library.

Lincolnshire Co-op’s Community and Education Co-ordinator Tiffany Allen said: “No man wants to go through prostate cancer, or see a family member or friend suffer with it, so we’re delighted that together we’ve raised more than £143,400 through our Community Champions scheme for Prostate Cancer UK.

“This money has the potential to change lives. Not only will it help Prostate Cancer UK support men with prostate cancer and those around them, it also gets us another step closer to telling the disease its time is up.

“Thanks to everyone who’s helped raise the total, whether it was by purchasing an official pin badge in our outlets, donating £1 while booking a break in our travel branches, supporting our colleagues’ amazing fundraising efforts or simply through shopping with us.”

Tamarin Fitzpatrick, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “Lincolnshire Co-op has exceeded all expectations by raising a phenomenal £143,463 for Prostate Cancer UK. One man dies every 45 minutes from prostate cancer, and it is with support such as this that we can continue to fund vital research to improve diagnosis and treatment of the disease – and also provide support to men and their families who are affected.

“We would like to thank everyone who donated to the Community Champions scheme for helping us achieve our goal of stopping prostate cancer from being a killer.”

More than 157,000 members helped raise the total by shopping in Lincolnshire Co-op stores throughout spring. A donation was made each time a member shopped using their dividend card and proceeds from carrier bag sales also went into the pot.

Over £5,800 was also raised from sales of official Prostate Cancer UK pin badges at Lincolnshire Co-op outlets, and an amazing £10,200 came from generous holidaymakers donating £1 while booking a holiday through the Society’s 14 travel branches.

Many Lincolnshire Co-op colleagues also went the extra mile with their own fundraising, from bake sales and hamper competitions to donning wacky costumes, taking on runs and the London Marathon, and even saddling up for static and outdoor bike challenges.

Information Systems Projects and Development Manager Pete Motley, based at Lincolnshire Co-op’s Head Office in Lincoln, took part in the 145-mile Football to Amsterdam cycling challenge. Together with a team of friends he rode from Barnsley to Hull, took an overnight ferry crossing and continued on to the Amsterdam Arena. He raised £1,200 and the team as a whole smashed their £5,000 target.

“I took away some terrific yet sincere memories of cycling with a great bunch of people and raising money for this worthy cause,” he said.

Another £1,900 was raised thanks to people who donated during three quiz nights at Lincoln City, Boston United and Scunthorpe United’s football grounds in March and April.