Members of Rotherham United staff are at the halfway point of their epic Prostate United challenge, where representatives from football clubs and other organisations across the country have been lacing up their running shoes and getting in the saddle throughout the month of November to raise some much needed funds for Prostate Cancer UK.
Over 300 runners and riders have united to raise over £46,000 thus far, with fundraising efforts since the challenge began back in 2018 surpassing the £300,000 mark.
We are, of course, incredibly proud of the fact that all of this started right at Rotherham United and was formed as part of our Head of Performance and Medical Stephen Gilpin’s efforts to honour his grandad’s memory - who passed away following a battle with Prostate Cancer. Since then – with the help of our former coach Ross Burbeary - the challenge has grown to become nationally-recognised within footballing circles and beyond.
Every 45 minutes, one man dies from prostate cancer and one in eight men will be diagnosed in their lifetime. Whilst the aim of the challenge is to raise much needed funds to help charities such as Prostate Cancer UK combat this disease, one of the key mission statements of the Prostate United challenge is to bring people together towards one common goal.
Having originally started with Gilps and Ross running 10km every day through the 30 days in the month of November, the Prostate United challenge has now evolved it is variety, opening it up to people of all abilities to get involved.
Whilst being delighted at seeing total funds raised surpass the £300,000 mark, Gilps insists that they are only just getting started and will continue to strive to raise money and awareness for such an important charity.
“We’re halfway through the challenge and we’ve raised close to £50,000 so far, which is absolutely fantastic,” he told www.themillers.co.uk.
“The challenge started back in 2018 and over the five years in total we have raised £300,000 for Prostate Cancer UK. We’ve got over 300 people taking part, with 48 clubs and organisations involved, which is amazing to see."
“So far, you cans see that it is bringing so many people together and the different clubs involved reaching out to the fans and the supporters to really engage with the challenge. We’ve seen Southend United and Peterborough invite supporters to come and run with them and that is what the challenge is all about, we want everything to be involved.”
“From the Rotherham staff point of view, - a few sore bodies aside - everyone is doing really well and feeling good. We’ve got the World Cup break now, so we’re going to be running in a few different locations this week and then out in Cyprus the week after.
“It is still a challenge, it is still hard. We’re getting to the stage now where there are a few aching limbs and the support of everyone is as crucial as ever. The fundraising has been fantastic, we’re in a really good place and looking forward to the final stages of the challenge now and seeing where we can go.
“Being at £300,000 is amazing, but we don’t want to stop there, we want to keep pushing as far as we can.”
The challenge is set to run until the end of November and you can donate to the PCUK cause on their JustGiving page here.