Barnsley FC will team up with Weston Park Cancer Charity for the fourth annual Weston Park Takeover Day when the Reds face Reading at Oakwell on Good Friday (2 April, 5:30pm kick-off).
The event aims to raise awareness for Weston Park Cancer Charity and the work it does to support thousands of cancer patients and their families across the South Yorkshire, north Derbyshire and north Nottinghamshire regions.
The charity works closely with Weston Park Cancer Centre, which is the region’s only specialist cancer hospital and provides care for more than 3,000 patients from Barnsley.
As part of the takeover day, the Reds matchday squad will play in purple socks! The players will also warm up in Weston Park Cancer Charity t-shirts, and the club will share important awareness information in the build-up to, during, and after the Good Friday fixture with Reading.
Figures show that one in two people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Weston Park Cancer Charity aims to care in every sense by providing support, enabling research and enhancing treatment for people living with cancer and their families.
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, Weston Park Cancer Charity has continued its commitment to be ‘together at every step’ for all those affected by cancer. The majority of its support has moved online in the past 12 months, but despite this the charity continues to provide services including:
- Support for all those affected by cancer, including expert advice from healthcare professionals for anyone concerned about symptoms or potential treatment;
- Financial advice and information about benefits which cancer patients and their families may be eligible for;
- Practical help, such as support with delivering shopping and practical welfare support in the form of hardship grants
In addition to providing support, Weston Park Cancer Charity also funds research to improve quality of life for cancer patients. Clinical trials funded by the charity help save lives, and are vital to developing an understanding of cancer, its causes and potential cures. One example of research funded by Weston Park Cancer Charity is the 'Piloting an integrated pathway for physical activity within routine cancer care in Barnsley project'.
In many instances, research and clinical trials funded by Weston Park Cancer Charity have changed outcomes for cancer patients across the region, around 600 of whom take part in a trial each year.
The charity works to enhance treatment by providing funding for improvements to wards and furnishings in the hospital; it also directly supports cancer patients during treatment by buying items such as books, magazines and children’s activity packs.
Darren Hayes, Business Development Manager at Weston Park Cancer Charity, said: “We are so grateful for the continued support of Barnsley Football Club and the wider Reds family as we aim to highlight the work of Weston Park Cancer Charity to support cancer patients across the region – including thousands of people from the Barnsley area.
“Partnerships such as this and the awareness they provide help us to continue supporting those who need us the most, while also enabling life-saving research and directly enhancing treatment.
“It’s been an extremely challenging year for us all, especially for charities in the absence of high-profile fundraising events, and for football fans unable to support the club they love in person. However, by working together we can support each other and our communities and improve outcomes for cancer patients across the region.”
Chief Executive Officer of Barnsley FC, Dane Murphy added: “The Club are well aware of the role Weston Park Cancer Charity continue to play within our community and we’re pleased to highlight that on their fourth annual takeover day at Oakwell. Whilst raising money is imperative to the success of the charity, awareness and visibility is just as significant and we have no doubt that purple socks with a red home kit, broadcast live on Sky Sports, will get people talking!
“All at Barnsley FC are delighted to be in a position to continue the partnership with Weston Park Cancer Charity and are immensely proud to honour the commitment to support local businesses, charities and local people.”
For more information on Weston Park Cancer Charity or to pledge your support, visit https://www.westonpark.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/. To speak to a member of the charity’s healthcare team, call 0114 553 3330 for free, confidential cancer support.
