Our Supporters
17 Jun 2020“You were the first man to hold me. I was the last to hold you.” Moving messages shared online and across UK billboards for Father’s Day.
Join us to celebrate dads everywhere this week.
On billboards across three UK cities and online, we share beautiful notes from sons, daughters, partners and friends. Whether you’re a dad, have a dad or you’re remembering your dad, you can get involved and help save the lives of men everywhere. Take a look at some of the messages already posted and find out how to share yours below.
Sunday is Father’s Day, and this year it’s a particularly strange and poignant one, with many of us sending our love and celebrating from a distance without the usual hugs, meals and pints.
For thousands of us it’s a time to reflect and remember the dads, grandads, father figures and friends who were lost too soon to the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK. Many of us will send love and support to those now living with the disease in circumstances made even more difficult by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Challenging times call for us to pull together in fresh ways, so with the support of our friends at digital agency Psycle, and media companies Clear Channel and DOOH, we’re proud to host Dedication to Dad. Through our digital ‘Man of Men’ icon linked to billboards around the UK, we’re inviting everyone to share a personal message dedicated to their Dad or father figure while raising money for prostate cancer research. Thanks to some technical wizardry – some of your notes of gratitude, unique memories and funny anecdotes may be selected to grace the streets of London, Glasgow and Liverpool.
Many of our research projects completely stalled during the Covid-19 crisis, and we lost crucial lab time that puts much of our progress at risk. As we emerge from lockdown, the Dedication to Dad wall sends a message of love and celebration that will also help get these life-saving projects back on track.
Andrew Phipps-Newman, Chief Executive of DOOH.com, said, "This is a phenomenal campaign. 'Dedication to Dad' comes at a vital time for men's health. It is a privilege to be involved - bringing awareness and delivering wonderful messages on screens across the country. It’s very close to my heart as my father was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer.”
Gracie and Lola Pinder
Seeing his daughters grow up is what motivates Lloyd Pinder every day. Diagnosed with incurable prostate cancer at just 44 years old, Lloyd has joined Jeff Stelling in his marathon marches, raising more than £60,000 for prostate cancer research.
During the Covid-19 crisis he’s shielding, isolated even from his own family at home, but that’s not stopped daughters 7-year-old Lola and Gracie, 11, from leaving him a note.
“Happy Father’s Day to the bravest, grumpiest, coolest, trainer collecting Dad in the world. We love you loads. Gracie and Lola x”
Peter Sheward
Peter, based in Oxfordshire, was one of the stars of our most recent television advert. His dad passed away in 2017. He hailed his father’s selfless support throughout his life including when he was best man at his wedding.
“You were the first man to hold me and I was the last man to hold you as you died in my arms, Now I’m a father myself and I wish you could be here to meet your grandson. You would love him Dad.”
Janet Graves
Wednesday’s Staying Inn Quiz has become a staple for Janet and the Henderson clan. Despite being hundreds of miles apart the family can rally in support of David, who has advanced prostate cancer and has sadly seen his condition deteriorate since lockdown. “With the usual banter and bickering, it’s like we’ve never been apart, and we all get to check in with dad.”
Karen Bonner
“My dad was an amazing man”
— Prostate Cancer UK (@ProstateUK) June 9, 2020
Karen lost her dad Egbert in 2014. Now she's raising awareness of the increased risk in her community 💙
In the UK, 1 in 4 black men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime, double the risk faced by other men. Read more: https://t.co/qkRT3x2kQb pic.twitter.com/n0t2UP4Ipg
Tottenham-based Nurse, Karen Bonner, lost her dad, Egbert, in 2014, four years after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Since then Karen has worked tirelessly for others in her dad's memory, raising awareness of prostate cancer, especially in the black community.
“To my Popps Egbert. You live within me and love never dies it just gets deeper - on this Father’s Day I will have a burger and beer and remember how lucky I was to have a father like you.”
