The Reds’ game against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Saturday will mark part two of the ‘Together at Every Step’ partnership between the two South Yorkshire football clubs in support of Weston Park Cancer Charity.
Weston Park’s big takeover will see plenty of awareness and fundraising activities take place around Bramall Lane, including a bucket collection ahead of kick-off.
Both matchday squads will warm up in purple Weston Park Cancer Charity t-shirts before the game, with flags, bunting and banners helping turn Bramall Lane purple for the day.
Both sets of fans are being encouraged to ‘bring a quid’ for Weston Park Cancer Charity; with one in two people set to face a cancer diagnosis in their lifetimes, all donations make a difference to people diagnosed, and their loved ones.
Funds raised on the day will help Weston Park Cancer Charity care in every sense for anyone in the South Yorkshire, North Derbyshire and North Nottinghamshire regions affected by a cancer diagnosis.
Barnsley FC staff members will also be directly involved in fundraising on the day. Marketing, Commercial and Business Director, Andrew Clark, and Chief Executive Officer, Khaled El-Ahmad, will be among the staff joining Reds fan Carl Mellor and his team of Weston Park supporters on a 15-mile walk from Oakwell to Bramall Lane before the game.
Fans can still join Carl, for the Charity Stadium Walk ahead of kick-off.
The charity’s care, provided predominantly at or from its frontline healthcare service – Weston Park Cancer Support on Northumberland Road, Sheffield – offers emotional, physical, practical and financial support for people directly or indirectly affected by cancer. This includes, but is not restricted to:
- Help and advice with symptoms or side effects of treatment, including complementary therapies for patients or carers;
- Mental health support including individual or group bereavement help and advice;
- Help with finances – including one-off hardship grants or signposting to financial and legal experts;
- Support groups including a Brain tumour support meetup and a prostate cancer support group;
- Help with transport between Barnsley (Oakwell Stadium) and Chesterfield (University of Derby’s St Helena Campus) and Sheffield Hospitals;
- Health and wellbeing support – by providing funding for Sheffield United Community Foundation’s Fans FC programme;
- Independent Living Support – in partnership with Age UK Sheffield
Darren Hayes, Head of Fundraising at Weston Park Cancer Charity, said: “We’re extremely grateful for the support of Sheffield United FC and Barnsley FC – who have put rivalries aside for the current football season to form this special partnership.
“We care in every sense for people affected by cancer, but that would not be possible without support like this. The two clubs, including both sets of fans, have been extremely supportive over the years – raising thousands of pounds to enable our care to continue.
“We’re also excited for our first full-scale takeover day at Bramall Lane in two years. Having fans back at Oakwell for the first instalment of this partnership in October was fantastic, and we can’t wait for round two.
“One in two people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, meaning it’s more important than ever for us to be there, together at every step, for patients and families affected by a diagnosis.”
Marketing, Commercial and Business Director, Andrew Clark, added: “The work of Weston Park Cancer Charity to support people affected by cancer in our region is incredible, as is the unstoppable fundraising of individuals to ensure the charity can continue caring in every sense.
“I’m really looking forward to joining Carl Mellor on his latest walk from Oakwell to Bramall Lane on Saturday – it’ll be an early start but absolutely worth it to raise vital funds and awareness for a fantastic cause.
“We’re so proud to continue our backing of Weston Park and the Together at Every Step partnership. Reds fans can get involved on the day simply by bringing a quid to donate – or can now donate online to the partnership’s fundraising page.”
For more information on the Together at Every Step partnership or Weston Park Cancer Charity – or to make an online donation to Weston Park – visit the link below.