Popping down the local turns into 62.5 mile challenge for Black Country friends

A quick trip down the pub has turned into the challenge of a lifetime for four novice runners from the Black Country.

Dave Bytheway, Ian Bytheway, Nick Cockburn and Nigel Bolton are swapping their day jobs as an accountant, Financial Director, sprinkler fitter and firefighter to run 62.5 miles – in 15 hours – as part of the grueling London to Brighton challenge on May 25^th.

The intrepid quartet – nicknamed ‘Team Running on Empty’ – are looking to pound the streets, hills and pathways of South East England to raise £5000 for Balls to Cancer, a local charity established by Mark Bates to fund male cancer awareness, education and research.

As part of their 500-mile strong training programme they will complete two ultra races, 4 marathons, 2 half marathons and the infamous Groundhog Marathon – 105 laps of Telford Athletic Stadium.

Dave Bytheway, Director at Bytheway Accountants and the inspiration behind the challenge, explained: “We were having a few beers down the pub when somebody threw down the gauntlet of running 62.5 miles.
“None of us are affiliated to a running club and, although we were all decent footballers in our day, I think it’s safe to say we’d hung up our boots for the real ale. Still a challenge is a challenge and we just needed something to get behind to make it all worthwhile.”

He went on to add: “I’d heard about the excellent work Mark and his family were doing in setting up Balls to Cancer and I liked the fact it was helping to support men with cancer. We had another chat down the pub and the rest is history.”

‘Team Running on Empty’ has received overwhelming support from the local business community, with Conveyor Units and Bytheway Accountants pledging their support as main sponsors.

Jacks Café and Bar, located in Frederick Street in Wolverhampton, is also lending its backing, hosting regular meetings and a major fundraising event on March 22^nd..

More than 200 people have already snapped up tickets for the charity night, which will see the King (Les Rivers) go head-to-head with Shoddy Woddy, a mega raffle and an all-star auction featuring memorabilia from Wolves’ Wayne Hennessey, Talksport and many other celebrities and sports stars.

Nick Cockburn concluded: “£5,000 is our target and we are already well on the way to achieving that. I think that will make us one of Balls to Cancer’s biggest one off fundraisers!

“I’m sure by the 60^th mile, we’ll all be wishing we hadn’t escaped for that cheeky pint down the pub.”

To make a donation, please visit www.justgiving.com/londonbrighton2013 or text Daft62 £5 to 70070.

If you would like to see the guys run 13 miles in their least favourite football shirt (Nick: Spurs, Dave: Wolves, Ian: Blues and Nigel: West Bromwich Albion) then contact Nick to place your special donation on 07792 383358

The Brilliant and very kind Artist Horace Panter (our ambassador) has very kindly continued his Cassette artwork series with a special Never Mind the Bollocks one, specifically for our charity. We will be auctioning the original artwork very soon and the link will appear here.

It is with the greatest of pleasure we thank Horace and Clare for the help and support

We have the following completed applications, If you want to jump I need your applications by Friday 1st February at the latest also those over 40 need to send their completed medical forms at the same time.

Also remember everyone that is jumping and any spectators MUST have their Passport /ID with them.

Scott Hallard *

Dayle Hallard

Matt Kelly

Jimmy Halton

Lee Glaze

Emma Wright

Claire Boddison

Sally Molineux *

Hannah Moore

Lori Hunter

Adriano Di Maria

Matt Smith

* Need Medical form

We have decided that this years Male Cancer awareness week will be 2-9th of June. This week we will be asking you to help us promote our charity to everyone.

We will be sending out swear boxes to everyone that asks for one so that you can actively raise funds for us.

The week will culminate in our first national BLUE day on Friday the 7th of June. We are hoping we can get all the schools and colleges to wear blue for the day and to help us raise funds (Bye to Cancer can be used in the Primary schools). This doesn’t stop there… why not get your work place to do the same. Lets get the supermarkets to also join us by getting them all wearing blue to work.

As we begin and exciting new year of football for the BTC Allstars with games against, Villa, Blues, Coventry, Wolves staff and Albion in planning. We need to sort out this years 15-16 players.

All previous players will have first refusal on their positions but they do come with a price. Firstly every player will need to get a sponsor the sponsorship will cost them £250 and this will get their details on the back of your warm up tee shirts. You will also have to be pro-active in getting bums on seats.

We will also be expecting a commitment to raising additional funds throughout the year (bag packing/car cleaning etc..)

If this is for you then let me know you’re in ASAP

Happy New Year to you all.

We hope you have all had a great festive season and are ready to help us in 2013 to fight cancer for all.

We have plans for a fun packed year an hope you will join us on our events or simply just donate.

Figures released late last year prove that incidence of cancer on both men and women is on the rise. We need to challenge the causes of cancer, why it happens and how we can prevent the disease taking hold.

We pledge to you our loyal supporters that we will leave no stone unturned in the fight against cancer.

We are only here to help you, and help find the answer to cancer whether that be prevention or cure.

Please help us, if you want to talk to us about funding your project, your research please do. I know one day we will find the answer. Will it be you that helps us?

Sharing this from one of our friends, please, please don’t ignore anything however silly/small you think it may be

PLEASE READ THIS……….

Just found out that a close friends Father has Prostate Cancer, I used to look up to him, like a hero 🙂

He found out just over two years ago, its spread though now so its not curable. He left it too late, despite all the warning signs.

He’s currently having hormone treatment and has had one radiotherapy treatment on his spine and is about to have another on his shoulder. Its just for pain relief now though.

My Friend said ” My Dad is not one for Doctors and his main issue (like many men) was the thought of the internal examination, it put him off going to get it checked”

She Continues “It’s inevitable that he won’t be with us for long and we make the most of every opportunity to be a family as often as we can. My dearest hope is that his two youngest grandaughters will remember these times and when the time comes, remembers their grandad”

DONT LEAVE IT!!! GET IT CHECKED !!!!!

 Local football club Brockworth Albion is continuing its commitment to raising funds for cancer related charities.

    Beginning in 2011, the players, wives, girlfriends, supporters and club officials take part in an annual sponsored walk across the Cotswolds raising money for these excellent causes.

     Club member Andrew Crosby-Morton said “last year we walked in aid of breast cancer and presented a cheque for £1,000 to the Cheltenham cobalt unit.  This year we went for a male equivalent charity and raised over £800 for “Balls to Cancer”, the prostate cancer charity.  It’s a great day and I’m very proud our club is committed to helping causes outside of our own”.

     Plans are in place for 2013 and the clubs chosen charity will be nominated at the next fund raising committee meeting

Cancer, its a word and disease that can be so cruel,

If you decide to ignore it then you’re a bigger fool,

It can happen in your bowel, it can happen in your breast,

Don’t leave till the last minute, go and have a test.

Catch it early and more chance to survive,

Choose to ignore and you won’t be alive,

Copy this poem to show that you care,

At the end of the day it’s a life that we all share.

We are holding our first annual Christmas Celebration Ball on the 30-11-12 at the Copthorne Hotel, Merry Hill.

We aim to give you the best nights entertainment you could wish for including a DJ, Live band, Comedian and a fantastic 2 course Christmas dinner.

We have managed with the help of the Copthorne Hotel to reduce their standard rates to just £18 per adult and £13 per child (under 12)

Your evening begins with a complimentary glass of Prosecco for the adults and a fruit juice for the children.

You will then sit down to your dinner while our DJ serenades you with timeless songs both old and new. When dinner is finished our live band Got the T Shirt will perform and I can guarantee you will be dancing . We will have a little bit of comedy and then back to the disco for you to kick your shoes off and dance the night away.

We will also have a silent memorabilia auction going on throughout the night for you to bid on some truly remarkable items.

Your Menu is……

• Main course
• Breast of chicken on a turkey, sage and onion  farce with apricots, seasonal vegetables, baby roast herb and garlic potatoes and cranberry jus
• Or
• Vegetable Wellington on a bed of creamed leeks, served with seasonal vegetables and spiced tomato coulis
• • To finish
  • White chocolate panna cotta with apple and cinnamon compote, finished with toasted almonds

There are also rooms available to be pre booked at £67.00 for a twin/double room with £10 supplementary charge per child

Tickets can be purchased here http://store.ballstocancer.co.uk/index.php/tickets/raffle-ticket-46.html

The Copthorne Hotel ….

As the only Four Star hotel in the local area, we are renowned for our consistent service and customer focus, having successfully satisfied the demands of many international and domestic travellers.  We also have an unrivalled reputation for working with local and national charities.

The Copthorne Hotel Merry Hill is conveniently located adjacent to the Merry Hill Shopping Centre. Due to its location the hotel has easy access to all road, air and rail links with on site Private Car Parking.

Leisure Facilities on site include Pool, Jacuzzi, Sauna, Steam Room, Gym facilities, Aerobic Studio (featuring the latest classes Zumba and Power Hour) and the Imagine Spa.