Chatham Town are supporting a charity close to their heart this Saturday as part of ‘Non-League Day’.
Prostate Cancer UK will celebrate a 10-year milestone working with Non-League Day and Chatham will be raising money for the charity when they take on Haringey Borough at the Bauvill Stadium.
Chatham general manager Gary Hake and chairman/manager Kevin Hake will be honoured to take part in the day after losing their dad Tom Hake – the former Chats manager – to prostate cancer in 2012.
For the last decade Prostate Cancer UK has worked side by side with the popular annual football matchday experience, raising money to fund lifesaving research and to increase the knowledge and awareness of prostate cancer – the most common cancer in men.
Tom Hake was 64 when he died. The former fireman had been diagnosed 12 years earlier.
Gary said: “Us and Non-League Day is a match made in heaven.
“It’s a way of merging together our great loves in life which is our dear old dad, and football.
“We were keen to really get behind the day to raise awareness of prostate cancer and also give our community a great day and celebrate all things great about the club.
“If I’m honest, until my dad was diagnosed prostate cancer wasn’t on our radar. You only really find out more when you are directly affected.
“Dad was a proper football man, and played at many clubs. He was old school, stiff upper lip and all that, and never really went to the doctors until it became a real problem.
“Hearing your dad has prostate cancer; it turns your world upside down,” he added. “He spent 30 years saving other people’s lives as a fireman; now all of a sudden his life is in jeopardy. You just wanted someone to save him really.
“Dad never wanted a fuss, even in his darkest hour. I think he’d be blown away the club are supporting Prostate Cancer UK, and very proud too.”
Club chairman Kevin added: “We were unfortunate to lose our father through the cruel disease, it is a charity that is close to my family’s heart, and hopefully we can raise some more awareness and raise some much-needed funds on the day as well.”
Chatham are raising funds with an auction and matchday collection and will raise awareness with Prostate Cancer UK literature.
Chatham will receive a limited edition matchday pennant marking the 10-year anniversary, showcasing their support for Prostate Cancer UK and continuing a theme of activity with the charity on the annual day since 2014
Always scheduled to coincide with an international break, Non-League Day provides a platform for clubs to promote the importance of affordable volunteer-led community football while giving fans across the country the chance to show support for their local non-league side.
Presenter and Prostate Cancer UK ambassador Jeff Stelling MBE said: “Non-League Day is a really important – and influential campaign – something I always get behind.
“For the last decade, they have been proudly working with Prostate Cancer UK.
“It’s such a good partnership which allows a brilliant charity which means so much to me to continue their lifesaving work across the football landscape. Non-League Day is the perfect platform to do that. See you there!”
Football fans can check their risk of prostate cancer in just 30 seconds by clicking here.
Prostate Cancer UK Chief Executive, Laura Kerby, said: “We are excited to be marking our tenth anniversary this year with Non-League Day.
“This is always an important day on the football calendar, particularly for us, as the spotlight falls on the grassroots game, and our collaboration with Non-League Day will not only put us at the heart of the action, but will be a gamechanger for those men and their loved ones affected by prostate cancer.
“We thank James Doe and the Non-League Day family, all the clubs, staff and players, and of course the fans for all their support.”
Non-League Day founder James Doe said: “It’s been great working with Prostate Cancer UK over the last 10 years. We originally chose them as we knew they did great work throughout the football community. It’s been very satisfying to see non-league clubs and their fans so willing to engage with the charity, and we hope they can do so again to mark this milestone year.”
Find out your risk of prostate cancer and find a fixture near you via the Non-League Day website
