Bradford City fans Jake Verity (left) and Mark Hughes (right) are about to undertake a 50K running challenge for Prostate Cancer UK, finishing at the Coral Windows Stadium on Saturday (26th September 2015) ahead of the club's home fixture with Peterborough United.
Jake and Mark, both 17 and students at Titus Salt School in Baildon, will run 10km a day for five days culmination in a lap of the pitch at Valley Parade ahead of City's Sky Bet League 1 clash with Peterborough on Saturday afternoon.
Prostate cancer affects one in eight men in the UK and Jake’s Grandad, a season ticket holder at Valley Parade, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 14th April 2015. Jake also lost another relative to the disease, so the duo are aiming raise £1,000.
Jake and Mark are both avid Bradford City season ticket holders. Jake’s much loved Grandad, Tony Holt, was a professional footballer in the 1960’s and played for Blackpool, to name just one of his professional clubs.
Jake, a season ticket holder since 2007, explained: “We chose this length because it represents the 40,000 new cases of prostate cancer in the UK a year as well as the 10,000 men that die from prostate cancer annually. This totals to 50,000, and it’s great to be able to finish our run around the hallowed turf of Valley Parade.”
James Beeby, Deputy Director of Fundraising for Prostate Cancer UK, added: “This challenge is the perfect example of what we call Men United, guys getting together to do something great to help beat prostate cancer.
“One man dies every hour from this disease, but we want to fight back. Up and down the country our work within football is really gathering momentum, and it’s great to see two passionate fans in Jake and Mark going the extra mile to raise money and awareness. We wish them good luck in their challenge.”
Unfortunately after the two teenagers organised this momentous event, Jake’s Grandad had a horrific accident, causing multiple life threatening injuries, which resulted in him being in Intensive Care for over four weeks and in a specialist head trauma unit for over six weeks.
Astoundingly, however, his Grandad has survived this ordeal but he has been left with some life changing injuries. This means unfortunately that Jake is currently unsure as to whether his Grandad will be able to attend the finale at the Coral Windows Stadium and see the two boys receive their well-deserved accolade.
Fans can sponsor Jake and Mark by texting an amount of money ' to 70070 adding JVER98 and £X' or visit justgiving.com/Jake-and-Mark/. Alternatively contact jakebcafc@gmail.com for a sponsorship form or follow @5Day10K on either Facebook or Twitter.