Reserves Manager Mackenzie is raising money for Prostate Cancer UK

I don’t particularly like cycling although I have done several rides which have raised just over £6,000 for MS Trust, Prostate Cancer and the Erskine Hospital. I’m not a frequent cycler and would maybe go out once a month and NEVER in the winter or when it’s raining! The furthest I have ridden in a day is just over 100 miles with the hardest days ride was in the “Ride the North” with the wind in your face for all of the 89 miles!!

I did actually quite enjoy doing Nightrider in London. Starting at 11 pm and finishing just after 6 in the morning, having done the central London tour from 2 am to 3 am ‘sh.

If I am not training for an event I might go out on my bike about once a month so doing this is not the norm for me!

I have been at ‘Sports’ for about 12 years being brought in by Dick Pratley and enjoyed the successful trip up the divisions. Last year was heading to be one of our more successful seasons – topping the league and in the Derbyshire Divisional Cup Final for the 4th time in 5 years. The success gave us promotion which brings extra costs, hence the fundraising.

Donations are going to be split 50-50 between Prostate Cancer UK and Mickleover F.C. Reserves. When I have completed the task we will divide the money raised by 2 and send each cause their total.

363 miles is the distance to Lands End via A and B roads. The mileages will be added consecutively and my aim is to complete in 3 weeks. (most of the charities are doing 100 or 300 miles and giving the rider a month to complete). The miles will be recorded on “Map my Ride”. It will take roughly 33 hours at an average of 11mph. Decent cyclists do 14/15mph.

The reserves have been promoted to the top league in the Central Midlands League. The promotion means we will be playing at a higher standards but has the drawback of incurring increased costs. We now have to pay for 3 officials for every game, provide post match hospitality and a matchday programme. We estimate that we need to find an additional £2,000+.

With regards to Prostate Cancer In the UK. Prostate cancer mainly affects men over 50, and your risk increases with age. The risk is even higher for black men and men with a family history of prostate cancer.

In England:

  • More than 40,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year in England.
  • More than 9,000 men die from prostate cancer every year in England.
  • Every hour, one man dies from prostate cancer in England.
  • More than 325,000 men are living with and after prostate cancer in England.

Message from the charity: In challenging and uncertain times, we’re proud to provide more than 150,000 people every month with up-to-date, evidence-led and award-winning information about prostate cancer.

We also fund research into better ways to diagnose prostate cancer, so men can be diagnosed earlier and more accurately – and into better treatments with fewer side effects, so that men stay alive and well for longer.

But the COVID-19 pandemic has forced labs across the UK to close, bringing that important work to a standstill.

We’re working hard to raise the funds we need to get our researchers up and running again once labs re-open, to ensure progress isn’t lost.

Please click here to donate if you can

Thank you,
D. Mac

Share & Spread The Word