Thursday 6 June 2002
As we start everyman Male Cancer Awareness Month, The Institute of Cancer Research is delighted to announce that Millwall FC and its supporters have raised over £20,000 for the Neil Harris everyman Appeal over the last football season.
The Lions fans and club have shown a remarkable commitment to the cause and have relentlessly fundraised throughout the year. As soon as the football fraternity found out that Neil Harris had testicular cancer, they were calling The Institute's male cancer campaign, Everyman, to see what they could do to help their footballing hero.
There have been collections at the ground and supporters have had their hair cut, done cycle rides, run pub quizzes and kids have had sponsored no uniform days at their schools to raise important funds for the everyman campaign. Six even trained hard to run the gruelling London Marathon including Millwall's press manager, Deano Standing.
Hugo Middlemas, Fundraising Manager at Everyman said, "We have been continually amazed with the amount of support we have received from Millwall and its supporters. They have already raised over £15,000 and we know there is even more to come. Neil Harris himself has tirelessly supported the campaign throughout the year and has shown his dedication to the cause by becoming a patron of everyman. He has given a great deal of his time to help publicise the campaign and we are extremely grateful for his support."
In response, Neil Harris said, "I have been overwhelmed by the support I have received from Millwall fans and supporters in general. There has been negative publicity surrounding our club and the game of football. But there are so many decent people who have really got behind the Everyman appeal to raise awareness and much needed funds to help tackle male cancers."
Millwall supporter, Melvin Hurley, has even persuaded his company, Office Green, to raise funds for the campaign. The leading recycling company is encouraging people to send in their used toner cartridges and these will be recycled with money going to everyman.
Melvin, Marketing Manager of Office Green said, "We have had a fantastic response. Over 200 ongoing recycling collections have been instigated, not just around South London, but also throughout the country. Football has responded as a community to support the Appeal and we are even seeing other clubs pledging to collect cartridges themselves."
June is Everyman Male Cancer Awareness Month. The Institute of Cancer Research set up the everyman campaign in 1997 to raise funds and awareness for testicular and prostate cancer. All the money raised will go directly towards supporting research at the only male cancer research centre in Europe that The Institute opened last year.
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For more information about how you can support the everyman campaign and for more information about everyman or testicular or prostate cancer please call 0800 731 9468.
Notes to editors
- Testicular cancer is the most common cancer among young men from 15-35. Cases of testicular cancer have risen by 70% in the last 20 years but doctors do not know why.
- The Institute of Cancer Research has recently been named a Centre of Excellence for prostate cancer.
- Prostate cancer affects older men. It is the second most common cancer in men, with 21,700 new cases diagnosed every year.
- The Institute of Cancer Research is a charity that depends on voluntary funds.