At a Glance
- Wickford Town FC teamed up with Lady McAdden to support the Not Just Your Balls men’s health campaign
- The charity spoke to over 200 people at the club about the fact men can get breast cancer too
- The morning raised over £200 and strengthened community links for future work in 2026
Wickford Town FC proudly welcomed the Lady McAdden team to their grounds this weekend as part of the charity’s impactful Not Just Your Balls campaign, which raises vital awareness that men can get breast cancer too. The collaboration highlighted the powerful role grassroots sports clubs play in reaching local communities and sparking conversations that genuinely save lives.
The charities team were out in force on Sunday morning, speaking with players, coaches, parents, grandparents, and supporters. Their aim was simple yet crucial, to ensure more men understand that breast cancer is not exclusively a women’s disease. Each year, over 400 men in the UK are diagnosed, often at a later stage because they don’t realise they should be checking their chest for changes. By bringing this message directly into community sporting environments, the charity is ensuring it reaches people who may otherwise never encounter it.
Claire from Wickford Town FC shared:
“It’s so important to support local charities like Lady McAdden in raising awareness that breast cancer doesn’t only affect women. The feedback from the sidelines was a mix of shock and gratitude, our men left knowing to check not just ‘the usual bits,’ but their chests too. This is exactly why grassroots partnerships matter.”
For Lady McAdden, these community-driven touchpoints are essential.
Tanya King, Fundraising Director, explained:
“Support like this drives real change. Being invited to match days gives us the opportunity to speak to more than 200 people in a morning, people we might not otherwise reach. It’s genuine engagement with a purpose.”
Chrissy Nichols, Chair of Trustees, added:
“Awareness and fundraising go hand-in-hand. As we celebrate our 50th year, support from clubs like Wickford Town FC directly helps us continue providing essential services to both men and women in our community.”
With enthusiastic backing from the Essex FA, the campaign continues to gain momentum.
Sian Hillis, Football Development Officer commented:
“Lady McAdden’s bold message and presence at match days gets people talking about men’s health and the often-forgotten fact that men can develop breast cancer. We’re thrilled to support their work at the very heart of local sport.”
The morning was filled with warm community spirit, coffees, sausage rolls, and generous donations, raising over £200. Lady McAdden extends heartfelt thanks to Wickford Town FC and looks forward to further collaboration in 2026.
You can Help
You can help today. Visit www.ladymcadden.org to learn more, make a donation, or share this message with family, friends, and teammates. Awareness saves lives.
Contact:
Tanya King, Fundraising Director – tanyak@ladymcadden.org