The Robin Cancer Trust is inviting people across Essex to pull on their brightest pants and take part in its much-loved Pants to Cancer Walk, returning to Clacton-on-Sea on Sunday 20th September 2026.
Now in its sixth year, the charity event encourages participants to wear their underwear over their clothes while proudly shouting “Pants to Cancer!” as they walk together to raise vital awareness and funds for people affected by testicular, ovarian and germ cell cancers.
The family-friendly event follows a 7-mile route from Clacton Pier to Walton Pier, with the option to complete the full 14-mile round trip for those looking for an extra challenge. Participants are encouraged to wear colourful pants, knickers, boxers or even bloomers over their outfits, creating a fun and eye-catching spectacle along the Essex seafront.
Entry costs £12 for adults and £6 for under-18s, with every participant receiving a medal. The walk is suitable for wheelchair users and well-behaved dogs on leads are also welcome.
Toby Freeman, Founder and CEO of The Robin Cancer Trust, said: “We’re so excited to bring the Pants to Cancer walk back for its sixth year. Last year’s event welcomed more than 100 participants, making it our biggest walk yet, and it was fantastic to see so many people getting
behind our mission in such a fun and memorable way.”
“Whether you’re walking in superhero pants, colourful boxers or giant novelty bloomers, every step helps us raise awareness of cancers that are often diagnosed too late. We can’t wait to see more people joining us this September to help save lives.”
This year’s walk is being sponsored by East Coast 5 and the Daniel Connal Partnership, but the charity is currently inviting more local businesses to sponsor the event or attend with their staff.
Participants are encouraged to fundraise, with every pound helping The Robin Cancer Trust continue its life-saving work through awareness campaigns, educational talks in schools, colleges and workplaces, and support services for people and families affected by testicular, ovarian and germ cell cancers. A £10 donation helps the charity reach thousands of young people through its digital awareness campaigns, £25 provides a Thriver Support Pack to someone recently diagnosed and £50 enables the charity to deliver a life-saving cancer awareness talk.
We’re currently looking for two passionate individuals to join us as voluntary Non-Executive Directors, supporting our mission to make music therapy accessible to those who need it most.
As we continue to grow, we’re particularly looking for:
A Fundraising Director
Someone with experience in fundraising who can help shape and guide our fundraising strategy, supporting sustainable growth and helping us reach more people through our work.
A Finance Director
Someone with a background in finance or accounting to provide clear financial oversight, helping us stay strong, sustainable and focused on our mission.
Both roles offer the opportunity to bring your skills, insight and care to support our team, strengthen our organisation and help guide our next chapter.
If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you. You’ll be joining a passionate, values-driven board, with a manageable commitment including quarterly online meetings and ongoing support to the team.
And if not, sharing this with your networks could help us find the right people to support this work. Every share really does make a difference.
We’re excited to invite you to upcoming Fundraising and Small Grants Workshops that are taking place across Essex as part of the Your Essex Community support offer.
This three-hour workshop is for voluntary and community organisations in Essex who want to enhance their income generation and fundraising plans and skills. You will learn about the latest trends in fundraising, different sources of income, with a specific focus on small grants under £20,000 including where to look for grant opportunities, and top tips on how to produce a successful application.
The workshop is enjoyable, informative, interactive, and an excellent opportunity to network with other similar organisations in the voluntary sector.
Whether you’re new to fundraising or looking to refine your approach, this workshop will help you strengthen your bids and maximise your impact.
The Robin Cancer Trust is calling on Essex to pull on their walking shoes (and maybe some pants over their clothes!) for a fantastic day out – all in the name of raising awareness for testicular and ovarian cancer.
On Sunday 21st September, walkers will set off from Clacton Pier and stroll the scenic 7-mile route along the promenade to Walton Pier. It’s a relaxed, family-friendly event where you can walk at your own pace, enjoy the sea views, and even bring your four-legged friends along.
For those feeling extra energetic, there’s an optional return route – making it a 14-mile challenge.
Why “Pants to Cancer”?
The Robin Cancer Trust’s cheeky twist on the walk encourages participants to wear pants over their clothes, shouting “Pants to Cancer!” along the way. It’s a light-hearted way to spark conversations about serious cancers that often go undiscussed.
Event details:
Date: Sunday 21st September 2025
Start: Clacton Pier
Finish: Walton Pier (or return walk back to Clacton)
Distance: 7 miles (14 miles optional return)
Entry: £10 per person
Includes: Finisher’s medal for all participants
Dogs: Welcome!
Funds raised will help the Robin Cancer Trust continue its life-saving awareness campaigns and community outreach.
