Wolves’ Stephen Gilpin has set his sights on a huge fundraising milestone for Prostate Cancer UK as the challenge he created five years ago, Prostate United, returns for 2023.
Prostate United has brought together hundreds of members of football club staff to run, cycle or walk every day each November, and has raised an incredible £340,000 for Prostate Cancer UK since its inception in 2018.
The challenge has united the football community every autumn with clubs from across the football pyramid involved – with even a clutch of managers taking part, including Sheffield United’s Paul Heckingbottom, Paul Warne of Derby County and Doncaster Rovers boss, Grant McCann.
To join the 2023 Prostate United squad, click here.
Gilpin, who recently moved to Molineux as head of academy sports science & medicine, was inspired to support Prostate Cancer UK in 2018 after sadly losing his grandfather, Norman, to the disease in 2010. A pre-season talk from Paul Warne, while Gilpin was working at Rotherham United, inspired him to lace up his running shoes, and, joined by friend and former colleague Ross Burbeary, he set off on a month-long challenge to run 10km every day that November.
Little did he know that five years later, the challenge would have grown to involve over 300 members of football club staff from more than 60 clubs and be closing in on raising half a million pounds for Prostate Cancer UK.
Gilpin said: “Prostate United has grown beyond our wildest expectations. We feel that as a collective now it has a unique place on the football calendar, where we all come together as the Prostate United family to raise awareness and much-needed funds for Prostate Cancer UK.
“In pre-season in 2018, the gaffer actively encouraged the group to discuss inspirational stories or personalities that have impacted our lives. I chose to speak about my grandad, who lost a brave battle with prostate cancer. He played a huge part in my life and the discussion raised a motivation and ambition to emulate this great man in any way I can.
“Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and knowing that has certainly drove us all on over the years and we’re delighted that the football family is coming together once more for a fantastic charity that’s close to my heart.”
This year, football fans are also being invited to join their club staff and take on either a daily walk, run, or bike ride. In another first for the challenge, Prostate United will take place in October, this year, starting 1st October, a month earlier than previous editions.
“We’re really excited for the 2023 edition of Prostate United. We’ve got a clear goal this year of trying to reach £500,000, which would be a massive milestone for the challenge.
“What we also really want to showcase this year is the Prostate United family and network of people that are all coming together to achieve one common goal, which is to raise as much money for Prostate Cancer UK. We really hope that the football community embraces the challenge and gets on board.”
Seren Evans, head of events and community fundraising at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “We’re so grateful for the continued support of Stephen and Ross and so many others during our Prostate United campaign.
“Since 2018 when Stephen started this challenge in honour of his grandad, the football family has helped us raise more than £340,000 by running, cycling and walking, and this year Prostate United will be bigger and better with supporters joining the challenge too.
“Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, and an early diagnosis can save your life. Money raised will fund ground-breaking research towards a screening programme, so we can catch prostate cancer early and save lives.
“Having clubs and their staff continuing to support our work will always resonate with the supporters, just like when managers wear our man of men badge on the touchline. Good luck to Stephen, Ross and everyone taking part in this year’s challenge.”
For more information on Prostate United, visit prostatecanceruk.org.
