Our much loved mascot,Miller Bear is gearing up for a 100 metres dash with a difference at Doncaster race course.
Mascots from more than 20 clubs will take part in the sprint on Friday 26 October to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK through its charity partnership with The Football League. The Racing Post – which is also partnered with the charity – will be hand to make sure the mascots adhere to race rules.English football’s over-sized and outlandish representatives will take on the 100m course, complete with fences, in a battle for the line - with season long bragging rights going to the victor and his or her club’s supporters.
Fans will be able to show their support for Miller Bear by texting Miller Bear’s name to raise funds to help more men survive prostate cancer and enjoy a better quality of life.
The competition will be stiff, but Notts County mascot, Mr Magpie, is the hot favourite having won the race last year.
Prostate Cancer UK’s partnership with The Football League will run throughout the 2012/13 season, with the aim of raising funds for and awareness of the disease amongst the football community and the wider public.
Claire Walsh, Head of Community and Sports Fundraising at Prostate Cancer UK,said: “We are thrilled that so many mascots have unleashed their competive side to take part in the race in support of Prostate Cancer UK. Every penny raised by fans backing their mascot will help us support more of the 250,000 men living with prostate cancer in the UK . Regardless of who reaches the finish line first, in our eyes each and every mascot is a real winner for pledging to help make 2012-13 a season saving men’s lives.”
John Nagle, Head of Communications at The Football League, said: “I’m delighted that so many Football League Mascots will be helping us raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK. The Mascot Race is always a tremendous spectacle and a brilliant way to launch The Football League’s Official Charity partnership. May the best mascot win.”
The Mascot Race marks the beginning of a weekend of racing during which The Racing Post –will dedicate The Prostate Cancer UK Charity Race in support of the charity on Saturday, and hold a 5k ‘Do it for Dad’ fun run on Sunday.
Harriet Collins, PR Manager at the Racing Post, added: “The Racing Post is joining forces with The Football League to help Prostate Cancer UK raise awareness of the most common cancer in men in the UK amongst football and racing fans. It will be a comedy moment to see dozens of mascots bounding along the course and we hope that supporters will dig deep to help raise much as possible over the weekend.”
Doncaster race course has also pledged to donate £1 to Prostate Cancer UK for every ticket sold over and above 4,000 on Friday 26 October.
To show your support for your club mascot and raise vital funds for Prostate Cancer UK, Text PROSTATE9 and your mascot mascot’s name i.e. PROSTATE9 Miller Bear to 70004 to make a £3 donation.
About text-donate:
People will be charged £3 plus the standard network charge. 100% of the donation will go to Prostate Cancer UK. Please obtain bill player’s permission. Customer care 08448479800. For full terms and conditions please visit prostatecanceruk.org/terms for terms & conditions.
About The Football League’s partnership with Prostate Cancer UK:
The Football League’s partnership with Prostate Cancer UK will run throughout the 2012/2013 season to raise awareness of prostate cancer amongst the fans, players and staff at the 72 Football League Clubs.
With 250,000 men – enough to fill Wembley Stadium three times over – living with disease in the UK, the partnership will help to increase awareness of the disease and help raise funds so that more men survive it and enjoy a better quality of life.
Prostate Cancer UK, in partnership with the Football League, will be launching a range of fundraising and awareness activity across the season for football fans including:
• Opportunities to debate their club’s favourite number 9 (the number 9 being significant as 1 in 9 men develop prostate cancer) #bestno9s
• Fans, players and managers will be invited to get involved with Moustache Season in Movember (the month formerly know as November) to support The Movember Foundation in its work to raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and other cancers that affect men
• Prostate Cancer UK’s football ambassadors, including Mark Bright, will help raise awareness and funds across the season
• A dedicated week of support in March to coincide with Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, where we will have a presence at as many grounds in The Football League as possible
Visit prostatecanceruk.org/football for more information