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.
Gold Geese, a small, local charity supporting families facing childhood cancer, is encouraging the community to learn the signs and symptoms of childhood cancer and help spread the word.
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and around 1,900 children in the UK are diagnosed with cancer each year. Gold Geese operates across mid and south Essex and this year, they have been raising awareness of childhood cancer from as far as Maldon to Brentwood and Chelmsford to Southend. To raise awareness, local businesses and schools are encouraged to display Gold Geese signs and symptoms posters and, in some cases, go big with their gold decorations (gold is the ribbon colour for childhood cancer awareness).
Gold Geese has organised a bumper number of events this month to help raise awareness and funds for its support:
On Saturday, September 5, a special convoy of more than 100 gold and yellow cars toured the streets of Leigh-on-Sea, Chalkwell and Southend to raise awareness of childhood cancer
The charity has also collaborated with Leigh-on-Sea Brewery to develop a special Gold Geese beer, with 10% of every purchase going directly to the charity. A number of Gold dads took part in making the first brew and attended the launch party this weekend. The beer will be available to buy at several local venues across mid and south Essex.
Leigh Marina will turn gold during Leigh Regatta on September 12 and 13, with a family fun day raising funds for Gold Geese
On Wednesday, September 16, CEO Katie will embark on a solo eight-day fundraising trek across the width of Essex, in remembrance of the Gold children who have passed away. Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/page/katie-walks-essex
Katie is hosting a ‘signs and symptoms Zoom training’ event for parents, teachers, nursery managers and medical professionals
On September 26, Legra Tap are hosting a closing party, with music from singer Eleanor Hudson and Tony Jefford from the band Jackie Wilson Says. Tickets are available at Legra Tap X Gold Geese Party tickets
Katie Southgate, CEO and founder of Gold Geese, said: “We’d love to see as many people as possible join our events this month. If you’d like to support our campaign at school or work, you could wear yellow or gold for the day, hold a bake sale or put up one of our posters.
“Just like geese stick together on their epic journeys, we’re showing our Gold families that the whole community supports them and we fly together.”
Free symptom awareness posters are available to collect from Metro Bank in Southend and Chelmsford, or email fundraising@goldgeese.org to arrange collection.
