Staffordshire charity event flourishes with help of homebuilders
The Uttoxeter Lions recently hosted another ‘Party on the Pitch’ event at Oldfields Park in Uttoxeter, sponsored by housebuilders Barratt and David Wilson Homes.
The Party on the Pitch event was first organised 20 years ago as a fundraiser put on by the Lions to provide an annual prostate screening event. Its main aim was to raise awareness of one of the primary causes of cancer that can be fatal for men, and it has since become an annual tradition.
The event has run every year, except during the Covid-19 pandemic. The event will be celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2027.
Barratt and David Wilson Homes, which are building a range of properties nearby at Olive Park and Poppy Fields, were the combined platinum sponsors of the event having donated £1,000.
Clare Large, Activities Officer at the Uttoxeter Lions Club, said: “Barratt and David Wilson Homes’ donations were vital to make sure that the event proceeded smoothly and we could make the event bigger and better.
“To run the prostate screening, the cost is in the region of £14,000 so sponsorship is an important part of our fundraising program to facilitate this event.
“We also run a prize draw every year which adds to the program funding, and other costs include phlebotomist testing, marquee hire, refreshments for the event and musical entertainment.”
The Uttoxeter Lions was formed in 1975 and is part of the world's largest service organisation with 1.4 million members. The Lions operate in 200 counties and support a variety of causes including humanitarian aid, the fight against child cancer, environmental protection, disaster relief and more.
Adrian Evans, Managing Director at Barratt Homes West Midlands, said: “We are proud to support the Uttoxeter Lions and the Party on the Pitch, not only was it a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together but it’s also for a great cause.”
Helen Lewis, Managing Director at David Wilson Homes Mercia, said: “We would like to thank everyone who assisted the Uttoxeter Lions in making this event possible. The money raised by the event will be put towards a worthy cause, making sure that that we can catch any prostate cancer scares as early as possible.”
The Uttoxeter Lions work with the Graham Fulford Charitable Trust to provide the tests on the day of the event.
The organisation’s next event is the Lark in the Park on Saturday, 23 August, an annual event that has a variety of stalls, funfair rides and a duck race where event participants can sponsor a duck and win prizes.
To find out more about the charity and its upcoming events, visit the website at the Uttoxeter Lions.
