Prostate
Cancer UK has been selected as Royal Mail's Charity of the Year
after more than 36,000 employees selected the charity in a staff
vote. Royal Mail and colleagues hope to raise at least £2 million
over two years for the charity. This will help fund up to 50
specialist prostate cancer nurses based at the heart of
communities, helping around 44,000 more men. Employees will raise
the funds through a series of fundraising initiatives and events,
with an initial target of £1 million. Their efforts will then be
match funded by Royal Mail - the first time the organisation has
undertaken such an initiative.
Prostate Cancer UK (formerly known as The Prostate Cancer
Charity) is also unveiling a new identity as part of an ambitious
new approach, which presents the cause and the organisation in a
more distinctive, forceful and urgent way.
Owen Sharp, Chief Executive of Prostate Cancer UK, said: "These
are genuinely exciting times for the charity. The fact that Royal
Mail employees voted for us shows how much men's health, and
prostate cancer in particular, is an issue that just can't be
ignored any more. This partnership will make a real and tangible
difference to the quarter of a million men living with this
disease. As well as ensuring more men build a relationship with a
specialist nurse - which they tell us is invaluable - it will help
us get the message out to thousands of Royal Mail employees. We
thank all of the Royal Mail staff who voted for us.
"We are also unveiling a brand new identity. Changing our
name to Prostate Cancer UK marks a new chapter in our history, and
signifies our drive to lead change. We will support men with
innovative services wherever they live, and find the answers for
the future through comprehensive research."
Moya Greene, Chief Executive of Royal Mail, said: "Royal Mail is
delighted to be supporting Prostate Cancer UK as our new Charity of
the Year. Our goal is to raise as much as possible for this worthy
cause. In addition, by match funding the efforts of our people,
penny for penny, we can make a real difference to the very valuable
work they do for men and their families affected by prostate
cancer, across the UK."