Barnsley Football Club will team up with Weston Park Cancer Charity for the fifth annual Weston Park Takeover Day when we host Sheffield United on Sunday.
The event aims to raise awareness for the 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.
As part of the takeover, the Reds matchday squad will wear purple socks to mark the occasion – as we did in our Good Friday fixture against Reading last season.
We have produced a special edition of Grove Street, which has a purple theme and includes plenty of information about how the charity can help anyone who has been affected by cancer, while there will also be a raffle held in the Legends Suite to raise further funds for this amazing cause.
Both teams will warm up in their Weston Park t-shirts as we launch our ‘Together at every step’ partnership, which was unveiled with a press conference at the charity’s headquarters in Sheffield.
In attendance were the club captains, Cauley Woodrow and Billy Sharp, who spoke about how crucial it is to highlight the incredible work done by everyone at Weston Park.
“I think it’s really important,” insisted Woodrow. “It’s the first time in my career that I’ve seen two football clubs come together and support a cancer charity. We wore the purple socks last season and we’re going to wear them again on Sunday against Sheffield United. I know Billy and Sheffield United are going to do the same in their game when they play us.
“So, I think it’s massively important for us to get the word out there and help as much as we can.”
Figures show that one in two people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, and Weston Park aims to care in every sense by providing support, enabling research and enhancing treatment for people living with cancer and their families.
“I’m proud to be part of this,” asserted Sharp. “Weston Park has been a big help to my family already with my grandad and my brother, so to be here to support this, I’m very happy to do so and hopefully I can help out and we can raise a lot of awareness.”
Cat Rhone, Director of Fundraising and Marketing at Weston Park Cancer Charity added: “It’s the first time that we’ve had two football clubs coming together to support a cancer charity. It’s unique, it’s special, and we’re just really proud to have been chosen as the charity for this special game.
“All of the players will be warming up in team Weston Park t-shirts, so proud to wear purple for Weston Park Cancer Charity. We’ve got our amazing volunteers out with the buckets and raising money for our cause and people will be encouraged to bring a pound to donate to the cause.
“But, for us, it’s just about letting people know that the charity is here to support patients, friends, family and that Weston Park Cancer Charity is here to support you.”
For more information about Weston Park Cancer Charity or to pledge your support, visit: westonpark.org.uk
To speak to a member of the charity’s healthcare team, call: 0114 533 3330 for free, confidential cancer support.