Record Turnout as Pants to Cancer Walkers Raise Thousands for Charity by Walking Along the Essex Coast
Posted on: September 29, 2026
A record turnout of 135 people took part in The Robin Cancer Trust’s annual Pants to Cancer walk, raising £4,500 for the charity.
Supporters of all ages took part in the seven mile walk from Clacton pier to Walton pier, with participants encouraged to pull bright pants over their clothes and shout ‘Pants to Cancer.’
The event, held on Sunday 20th September and now in its sixth year, saw its biggest turnout since it was launched, with families, friends, cancer survivors and even dogs joining the challenge. Some participants chose to double the distance, walking the 7 mile route back to Clacton to complete 14 miles in total.
Prizes were awarded for the best decorated underwear, with Gavin Newman of Sterling Washroom Services taking home the prize with his Henry the Hoover inspired pants.
The event was sponsored by East Coast 5, Daniel Connal Partnership, Colne Construction Services and Hayes Garage. Local businesses also provided support, with The Beach Haven Café providing free refreshments, Fairfields Farm donated crisps and volunteers helped to hand out medals at the finish.
Darren Couchman, Community Engagement Manager at The Robin Cancer Trust and a testicular cancer survivor, said:
“This year’s walk was such a brilliant day and seeing more than 135 take part to support The Robin Cancer Trust was fantastic. There was such a great atmosphere from start to finish, with people of all ages getting involved, dressing up and of course, proudly wearing their pants!
“Pants to Cancer is a fun event, but there’s a really important message behind it. Events like this help us start conversations about testicular and ovarian cancer, reach more people with our awareness messages and raise vital funds to support our work. A huge thank you to everyone who walked, fundraised, volunteered and supported us, we couldn’t do it without you.”
Around 2,400 men are diagnosed with testicular cancer in the UK each year, making it the most common cancer in men aged 15 to 45, but it is 95% curable if detected early. Ovarian cancer affects about 7,500 women annually, with one in 52 women diagnosed in their lifetime, yet it is 90% curable when caught early.
Founded by the Freeman family in memory of Robin Freeman, who died of a rare germ cell tumour aged just 24, the Colchester-based charity provides support to people affected by testicular, ovarian and germ cell cancers and delivers life- saving cancer awareness talks in schools and workplaces across the UK.
Donations can still be made via the Pants to Cancer JustGiving page:
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/pantstocancer26
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