Our Supporters
17 Oct 2018MANarama campaign raises £150k in six weeks for our vital work
Vanarama's historic rebrand of the National League is hailed for raising huge awareness of prostate cancer, as well as donations from every vehicle leased, with Kevin Webber joining the cheque presentation on Non-League Day.
The ground-breaking MANarama campaign, which saw the National League undergo a mid-season re-brand for the first time in its history, has raised an astonishing £150,000 for us.
Vanarama's six-week fundraising drive involved the commercial vehicle-leasing company transforming its naming rights for the fifth and sixth tiers of English football until Non-League Day on 13 October. Under the slogan, 'Lease a van save a man', they also donated £50 for every vehicle leased during that period.
A giant cheque for the giant amount was presented at the televised Non-League Day match between FC Halifax and Chesterfield. Ultra-marathon hero Kevin Webber [pictured below], who had just completed seven walking marathons in seven days for us, was also given a guard of honour by both sets of fans before kick off.
"We’re thrilled with the amount of money we’ve been able to raise," said Andy Alderson, Vanarama's chief executive and founder. "If you’ve leased a van from us in the last 45 days, you've helped save a man. Hopefully the money donated to Prostate Cancer UK can play a small part in one day beating this truly terrible disease."
Prostate Cancer UK became the National League’s first official sponsor for the 2018/19 season and this year’s Non-League Day was given added significance by the presence of Kevin. Diagnosed with incurable prostate cancer in November 2014 and told he could have as little as two years left to live, Kevin has raised thousands for us in a series of epic endurance events.
In the build-up to Non-League Day, he walked more than 180 miles from Blyth Spartans to FC Halifax Town, visiting 10 National League clubs and hand-delivering unique captains’ armbands to be worn by all MANarama teams on Non-League Day. The bright orange band, which includes the iconic Prostate Cancer UK logo, illustrated the clubs’ united stand against the most common cancer in men.
National League proud to stand with us and Kevin
"We’re delighted at the response of our temporary – and historic – rebranding to the MANarama National League over the past six weeks," said National League Chief Executive Michael Tattersall, who walked alongside Webber in the final day of his challenge. "And it’s wonderful to see so much money and awareness raised to aid the fight against prostate cancer.
"We're proud to have Prostate Cancer UK as our first ever charity partner and look forward to working with them more going forward. This deadly disease has no boundaries, so it’s been incredibly inspiring to see Kevin Webber raise so much awareness within many of our membership.
"He’s a remarkable man, doing remarkable things, and we will continue to stand alongside him and everyone affected by prostate cancer."