Two teams of men and women will compete against each other in a challenge of speed and endurance to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK and Breast Cancer UK.
Families, friends, players and coaches of the club are taking on an Ironman Challenge to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK and Breast Cancer UK, two leading men’s and women’s health charities.
Oswestry Rugby Club is hoping to raise over £30,000 with individuals either swimming 2.4 miles, running 26.2 miles and cycling 112 miles on 19th September 2021 to join the fight to help save men’s and women’s lives.
The club was inspired to take on the Ironman Challenge for Breast Cancer UK and Prostate Cancer UK after two Mum’s at the club were recently diagnosed with breast cancer and our club President was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Liz Johnson who’s three children that play and her husband Stewart who coaches at the rugby club, talks us through her journey, ‘I got diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2020. A small tumour was picked up on a routine scan, I had no idea that anything was wrong. I was extremely fortunate to get the cancer caught early, I had to have quite a large operation to remove the tumour and thankfully the early diagnosis meant no further treatment was required. The doctors and nurses that looked after me were amazing, I can never thank them enough for effectively saving my life.’
‘By raising money for Breast Cancer UK we’re hoping to raise awareness, hopefully improve early detection and encourage anyone who is offered a mamogram to take it up – it might save your life.
It’s great that Oswestry Rugby Club are committed to the ‘Ruck Over Cancer’ Ironman Challenge raising money for Breast Cancer UK and Prostate Cancer UK, both charities are life savers.’
Theresa Moore has a son who plays rugby in the same age group as Liz’s son. Theresa shares her story with us ‘I was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2020, this changed my family’s world. Fears, loneliness, whys, what ifs and shock are just a few of the daily emotions I have felt, but the love, help, support and prayers from family and friends has a been blessing.’
‘From July to mid-December I have been to the hospital weekly, sometimes daily, during this time I have had two surgeries and four weeks of daily radiotherapy. The NHS deserve a huge thank you, whilst dealing with a global pandemic they have been supportive, caring and kind to my family and I, as we faced a new unknown each day.’
‘I am so proud of our rugby club, being part of raising money and awareness for Breast Cancer UK and Prostate Cancer UK. Although it will be an emotional day that I know will touch us all for different reasons I remain thankful for the love help and support we have received from our friends in the community and I look forward to the day I can see you all and say thank you with a hug.’
President Martin Ord said: “I have recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer and have been touched by the support of everyone connected with our amazing club at Oswestry”, “My son Spencer, Grandson Ben and I decided to take on the ‘Ruck Over Cancer’, Ironman Challenge for Prostate Cancer UK to help raise awareness and raise much needed money in the battle with this horrible disease.
“This is going to be a huge challenge and it will be an emotional day for us, but if we manage to help save just one life by raising awareness or, monies raised support the development of testing methods for the early detection of prostate cancer, all of the effort will be worth it”.
Gabriella Bailey, Head of Community Fundraising at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “We’re so grateful that Oswestry Rugby Club has decided to organise the ‘Ruck Over Cancer’, Ironman Challenge to help raise vital funds for both Prostate Cancer UK and Breast Cancer UK. The money raised will help us fund research for real change, from more effective testing to better treatments”.
“Currently one man dies every 45 minutes from prostate cancer in the UK. That’s more than 11,500 men a year and by 2030, prostate cancer is set to become the most commonly diagnosed cancer of all in the UK. We need to turn the game around for men and make prostate cancer a disease that the next generation of men do not fear. We thank Martin Ord; and the other members of his team for joining the fight and wish them every success with their challenge.”
Thalie Martini, CEO of Breast Cancer UK, ‘Wow, what a challenge! And that they’re raising this incredible amount of money for these two important charities this will make such an impact. Breast Cancer UK will use the money raised to support more women across the UK to understand and reduce their risk of developing breast cancer and to fund vital research to help us understand the causes of breast cancer.
Over 25% of breast cancer cases are preventable through making simple changes to your lifestyle. The money the women and men of Oswestry Rugby Club raise will help us work towards reducing the number of women who will suffer the devastating impact of being diagnosed with this terrible disease, along with the pain it brings to their families and friends. Together we can prevent breast cancer.’
To help Oswestry Rugby Club continue to raise money visit:
https://www.justgiving.com/team/oswestry-rugby-club-ruck-over-cancer
Pictured: Club President Martin Ord
