Lincolnshire Co-op is intensifying fundraising through its Community Champions scheme to help leading men’s health charity Prostate Cancer UK.
Between March and June 2018, the society will make a donation each time a member shops in a Lincolnshire Co-op outlet.
Lincolnshire staff will be fundraising for the cause while the carrier bag levy will also be added to the pot. The co-op will be selling official Prostate Cancer UK pin badges in Lincolnshire Co-op food stores for a suggested £1 contribution. Holidaymakers will also be able to make donations through the society’s travel business.
The campaign will kick off with special fundraising quiz nights at Lincolnshire’s major football grounds in Lincoln, Boston, Grimsby and Scunthorpe. The co-op will also aim to raise awareness about Prostate Cancer by offering free fold-up information leaflets available at all of its 49 pharmacies.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK, with over 40,000 new cases diagnosed every year. Most common in men over 50, symptoms include: needing to urinate more frequently, often during the night; needing to rush to the toilet; difficulty in starting to pee (hesitancy); straining or taking a long time while urinating; weak flow; or feeling that your bladder has not emptied fully. (See the NHS website for more information.)
Commenting on the initiative, Lincolnshire Co-op’s community and education co-ordinator, Tiffany Allen, said: “We want to use our ideas, energy and resources to make life better in our communities, and that includes looking after people’s health and wellbeing.
“Prostate cancer is a disease we all need to be aware of so why not say ‘game on’ against it together by joining one of our four quiz nights, buying a pin badge in store or simply shopping with us?”.
Prostate Cancer UK will use the money raised to fund research into diagnosis, treatment, prevention and support for men and bolster local support around Lincolnshire.
James Beeby, director of fundraising at Prostate Cancer UK, added: “We are thrilled that Lincolnshire Co-op are uniting with us against prostate cancer and supporting the charity through its Community Champions Scheme. As well as raising funds, this initiative will also raise awareness of a disease, which affects one in eight men in the UK, and will hopefully get across an important health message.
“Our aim is to reach as many men as possible, and encourage them to take responsibility of their health. We thank the team at Lincolnshire Co-op for helping us in the fight against prostate cancer.”
