FOOTBALL fan, Ed Wood has joined the fight against prostate cancer by taking on a Guinness World Record with a twist for Prostate Cancer UK, the Official Charity Partner of the EFL.
ED, a 50-year-old Derby County fan from Otley, West Yorkshire has committed to visit all 93 grounds in the country (92+Berwick Rangers) in the shortest amount of time. The current record for this challenge was set in 1994/1995 by Ken Ferris who completed it in 237 days, which Ed is hoping to beat.
He will also be set a number of challenges for each game he attends, they could be anything from being first in the ground to wearing a mascot outfit, to raise funds and awareness for the leading men’s health charity.
His target is £50,000 and is hoping the football family will get behind his mammoth challenge. The current record for this was set in 1994/1995 by Ken Ferris who completed it in 237 days, which Ed hopes to beat having previously held the record.
He started the challenge on the 13th of August at Boundary Park when Oldham Athletic took on Millwall and has watched over 40 matches at different grounds so far.
That includes the Pirelli Stadium when the Brewers beat his side Derby County 1-0 and Ed featured on East Midlands Today before the game.
As the Official Charity Partner of the EFL (English Football League), Prostate Cancer UK work at the heart of the football fraternity alongside a host of fans, club employees and players who’ve been affected by a disease which affects 1 in 8 men in the UK and throughout his challenge, Ed will meet some of these people and hear about their experiences.
Ed said: “Ignoring prostate cancer won’t beat it, so I joined the fight to try and make a small difference to a big issue. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men but we don’t talk about it enough. I hope my world record attempt will capture the imagination of football fans across the country and will raise much needed funds and awareness for this brilliant charity.
Along the way I have already had the pleasure to meet some inspirational people, including men who’ve been affected by this awful disease.
At Leyton Orient I was introduced to Errol McKellar, a survivor of prostate cancer, and an incredible guy who has done a lot for the charity. Meeting people like Errol bring the cause to the heart of this challenge and make all my late night drives and barmy challenges worth it.”
James Beeby, Director of Fundraising at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “We’re delighted that Ed has decided to use his Guinness World Record attempt to raise vital funds and awareness for Prostate Cancer UK.
“Many of the football clubs and supporters have already been incredibly supportive of Ed and his challenge which is a brilliant demonstration of Men United: people joining one team to fight a common opposition – prostate cancer.”
Many people are unaware that prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. It’s a huge issue that cannot be ignored. In 2016 one man an hour will die from prostate cancer in the UK.
That’s 10,900 men this year. Based on current trends, if we ignore prostate cancer and do nothing, this number will rise to over 14,500 men a year by 2026.
To sponsor Ed visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/edwood93challenge
To find out more about Prostate Cancer UK’s work in football visit: www.prostatecanceruk.org/football