If your name is Mark, you have a unique opportunity to make your mark in history by being one of 88 people called Mark setting a world record and aiming to raise £88,000 for the Prostate Cancer UK.
Event organiser Mark Taylor, who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, is staging the Mark-only event on Monday September 21.
Having organised an annual Marks’ lunch within the media industry for 35 years, three of the 36 Marks, Tommy, Woody and Cole came up with the idea of a Mark Golf Day – which grew into a world record attempt at Royal Blackheath Golf Club in September that will set a record for the most players with the same name playing in a golf competition.
Seren Evans, senior head of mass fundraising at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Mark Taylor for continuing his brilliant support this year. Hosting a golf day is already a fantastic way to back men affected by prostate cancer, but a world record attempt involving 88 Marks and aiming to raise £88,000 takes it to another level.
“It’s a wonderfully imaginative idea that brings people together and shines a light on the most common cancer in the UK. Thanks to supporters like Mark, we can fund more lifesaving research and change the game for men. Thank you to everyone involved – you’re really making your mark!”
Former Ryder Cup captain and On Your Marks ambassador Mark James added: “This is a great idea for a very worthy cause. It’s remarkable how many people I know have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. My oldest friend has just had months of hormone treatment and radiotherapy for the last four weeks.
“He told me to get tested recently – negative, fortunately – so after his experience of having had no symptoms, like Chris Hoy, I made the effort. I would be delighted to support On Your Marks in any way I can.”
Mark Taylor was diagnosed with prostate cancer in November 2022 and is currently under surveillance by the NHS. An amateur golfer since the age of 15, the 69-year-old has already raised a substantial amount of money for Prostate Cancer UK.
He raised £48,000 in 2023 by playing 72 holes in day with seven friends, and then £23,000 in 2024, followed by playing 100 holes in a day with 28 others at Beaconsfield Golf Club and raising £360,000 for Prostate Cancer UK and Breast Cancer Now.
The money raised will go towards funding a research project which costs £350,000. For details of the project, click here.
“One in eight men in the UK are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year, and 12 will die. I am one of the lucky ones who has had a PSA test every year for 10 years. I’m living with it, but friends are suffering and have died of it by not catching it early enough. I am lucky to have a large group of friends from the advertising and media industry who always support my challenges and fundraising efforts, and I want to add a big thank you to them.”
You can register your interest and join the fundraising effort by clicking here, or you can donate items and bid in the auction which will go live in September by clicking here.
For more information, contact Mark on marktaylor@onyourmarksgolf.com or call 07949 296 154.
