A group of Airdrie and Helensburgh based ScotRail staff raised £750 for a men’s cancer charity – without having to lift a finger.
Nine drivers, ticket examiners and members of station staff took part in ‘Movember,’ a campaign which aims to raise money and awareness of men’s health issues.
Their fundraising efforts in aid of The Prostate Cancer Charity (Scotland) were boosted by a generous £500 donation from FirstGroup, ScotRail’s parent company.
David Gilchrist, a train driver from Gartleahill in Airdrie, applied for the donation via the company’s Charity & Sponsorship Committee.
The 46-year-old is no stranger to charity fundraising. He and a colleague cycled 54 miles from Glasgow to Edinburgh in 2010 to raise £1,400 for Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres.
David said: “It was great to get a whole group involved in fundraising for such a good cause, and the donation from FirstGroup was a great boost.
“The Prostate Cancer Charity and Movember do so much for raising awareness of men’s health issues. We were glad to take part – and delighted to send a cheque for £750 to the charity.
Anne Ferguson, head of Scotland operations for The Prostate Cancer Charity, said: “Even though Movember appears to be a light-hearted campaign, it has been hugely successful in raising millions of pounds for research into prostate cancer and getting younger men to start thinking about their health.
“It's fantastic that ScotRail staff have joined thousands of men across the UK in ditching the razor in support of The Prostate Cancer Charity. We are extremely grateful to them for their efforts – and to FirstGroup for the additional donation.”
Avril Gill, FirstGroup’s marketing manager, Group Brand, said: “The Prostate Cancer Charity – as well as other men’s health charities and campaigns like Movember – does fantastic work in raising awareness of issues and supporting those dealing with illness.
“We are often on the look out for opportunities to help worthy organisations like this one and are delighted to help.”
Media enquiries:
Carla Rinaldi, ScotRail Communications: 0141 335 5156 / carla.rinaldi@firstgroup.com
Notes to Editor
The Prostate Cancer Charity and the Institute of Cancer Research are Movember’s beneficiary partners in the UK.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men in Scotland.
2,700 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year in Scotland and 19,000 Scottish men are currently living with the disease.
Two men die of prostate cancer every day in Scotland.
The Prostate Cancer Charity is striving for a world where lives are no longer limited by prostate cancer. The Charity is fighting prostate cancer on every front - through research, support, information and campaigning.
African Caribbean men are three times more likely to develop prostate cancer than white men of the same age in the UK.
Anyone concerned about prostate cancer can call The Prostate Cancer Charity's free and confidential Helpline on 0800 074 8383. The Helpline is staffed by specialist nurses and is open from 10am to 4pm on Monday to Friday and from 7 to 9pm on Wednesdays. Alternatively please visit www.prostate-cancer.org.uk
