Get on your bike for prostate cancer
With prostate cancer claiming the lives of one many every hour in the UK, it's one of the most common male-specific diseases in the country, and the second biggest killer after lung cancer.
That’s why this Father’s Day weekend (June 18th and 19th) charity supporters from Exeter are being urged to join thousands from across the UK to gather en masse and get on their bike to take part in the national fundraising effort and biggest cycling event of its kind, the ‘Rotary Ride’.
The Rotary Ride, which is now in its second year is a nationwide event organised by Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland. It will help to raise money and awareness of prostate cancer, a disease that currently affects one in eight men during their lifetime, with over 330,000 men in the UK currently living with Prostate Cancer.
The event comes after recent research carried out by Prostate Cancer UK showed that an overwhelming 92% of Men in the UK did not have a clear idea of what their Prostate is used for, with 88% of those who are at higher risk being unaware of their increased danger.
Families and individuals across Exeter are being encouraged to join the already registered 20,000 riders and take part in a ride across the UK and Ireland to raise money for the charity and join the fight to help more men survive prostate cancer and enjoy a better quality of life.
Members of the public are invited to take part by joining in an event local to them and there is a range of rides to choose from including family fun rides, enthusiast coastal routes and even static rides at local gyms and sports centres.
With four charities on board – Prostate UK, Prostate Scotland, Prostate Cymru and Irish Cancer Society - the Rotary Riders are aiming to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for the crucial work of these four organisations.
Amanda Watkin, General Secretary of Rotary explains: “Of course it’s not just fathers who are affected by this deadly disease, it’s friends, brothers, sons or even your neighbour. That’s why we’re holding this ride to help support those affected by prostate cancer, and we felt Father’s Day was a great way for people to spend quality time together while raising money and awareness for charity.”
She adds: “It is a chance for members of the public, no matter how young or old, to get on their bikes and join us. We wanted to create an event that members of the public and Rotarians alike could all get involved in and with over 20,000 participants signed up so far, it is sure to be an incredible day.”
James Beeby, Director of Fundraising at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “We’re delighted that Rotarians have decided to join the fight against prostate cancer and raise vital funds for Prostate Cancer UK.
“Ignoring prostate cancer will not beat it, and the money raised during the rotary ride 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 prostate cancer.
“One man every hour dies from prostate cancer; it’s the most common cancer in men, but we want to make prostate cancer a disease that the next generation of men do not fear. We thank everyone involved in Rotary Ride for joining the fight.”
If you want to get involved in Rotary Ride 2015, log on to www.rotaryride.org.uk to find your nearest event.
