Prostate Cancer UK is launching a mixed pairs campaign for 2025, highlighting the role that women play in supporting their husbands, brothers, sons and friends who are impacted by the most common cancer in men.
The new events will further boost the charity’s presence in the golf community and encourage golf club members and societies to come together raising awareness of prostate cancer risk and help fund research to find better tests and treatments to save men’s lives.
One in eight men in the UK are diagnosed with prostate cancer and for each man who is affected, there is often a network of female friends and family who are also indirectly impacted. This new initiative is designed to support golf clubs wanting to put on different types of events for their members.
“When someone is diagnosed with prostate cancer, not only does it have a huge impact on the man diagnosed with the disease, it has a significant effect on their family, friends and golfing partners,” said Seren Evans, head of community and events fundraising at Prostate Cancer UK.
“Golfers want to be proactive and feel like they are doing something positive to show their support, which is where this new mixed pairs fundraising event is perfect. We love this format as it allows everyone at the club to get involved, and it’s also a fantastic way to celebrate men affected by prostate cancer and the women who support them.”
“It was a huge shock when I was diagnosed with prostate cancer,” said David Hadley-Smith, a member of Moor Hall Golf Club in Sutton Coldfield. “I panicked and did the worst thing you can do and went on Google. It was my wife Sandra, my family and friends who got me through and helped me deal with the diagnosis. Her support has been unwavering and we both decided to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK via our club. We’re delighted there’s a new format for a golf event to raise money; Sandra and I regularly play in mixed pairs events so we’re very keen to support this new initiative.”
The new format will be rolled out to golf clubs across the country later this year, forming a new part of an already significant golf programme for Prostate Cancer UK. In the last 10 years, £6,000,000 has been raised through the charity’s tailored support for golf club captains, golfers wishing to hold golf days and more recently through The Big Golf Race – the charity’s flagship golf fundraiser that asks golfers to play 36, 72 or 100-plus holes in day.
Prostate Cancer UK will be working with The PGA, the UK Golf Federation, the British Golf Industry Association and HowDidiDo to encourage golfers to organise and take part in the new events.
Golfers wishing to set up their own mixed pairs event to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK in 2025 can expect expert support from the charity’s golfing team – including a golf fundraising pack including golf balls, tees, health information and branded merchandise as well as tailored support and advice on the best ways to set up and organise events.
For more details visit prostatecanceruk.org/golf or email golf@prostatecanceruk.org
