Football legend supports Community Trust’s ‘County Tackles Cancer’ event

Stockport County Community Trust held its latest County Tackles Cancer event at the County v Lincoln City match, which saw football legend Brian Horton speak of his personal experience.

The event at Edgeley Park on April 26th sought to raise awareness of prostate cancer screeing.

Grant funding from voluntary sector organisation Answer Cancer enabled the Trust to host a Prostate Cancer Information Hub in the Together Stand.

Teams from the Prostate Cancer Support charity and Stepping Hill Hospital’s Urology department were also on hand to offer guidance on spotting the warning signs of this type of cancer, and to give advice about the support and signposting that’s available.

Appearing on the pitch at half-time was football luminary Brian Horton who, on behalf of the charity and the hospital, spoke movingly about his own experience with the disease. The former Luton Town and Brighton & Hove Albion star was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2023 following a routine test but is now thankfully on the road to recovery.

Mr Craig Jones, Consultant Urological Surgeon at Stepping Hill Hospital, joined him on the pitch and explained how prostate cancer screening and early cancer detection can save thousands of lives each year.

Said Eddie Owen, Stockport County Community Trust’s Health & Wellbeing Manager:

“We were extremely proud to support Prostate Cancer Support and the Stepping Hill Urology team. It’s crucial that we use the platform of Edgeley Park to help raise awareness of this condition, and to highlight where vital information may be obtained.

“Amplifying such essential work through the Club can make a huge difference, and I truly believe the power of football can play an essential role in helping to educate more men about prostate cancer signs and symptoms.”

On Wednesday 30th April (10am-11am) the Community Trust also hosted a drop-in prostate cancer awareness morning at their Social Wellbeing Group at Edgeley Park, where attendees were able to ask questions and obtain information.

Prostate Cancer Support is a Stockport-based charity which supports a number of prostate cancer groups in the north-west and raises awareness at various events across the region. It also provides a national, 365-days-a-year helpline for anyone seeking advice and information.