This season-long partnership will see Barrow Raiders and CancerCare promoting the charity’s free professional services, events and fundraising activities across the Furness Peninsula.

Odd Shaped Balls is aimed at male members of the local population as CancerCare and Barrow Raiders would like as many men as possible to hear about and use the free services on offer. Families are also being encouraged to get involved as the club has a strong community ethos and works with local schools. 

One of the main promotional events will be a Family Fun Day on Saturday, June 8, at the Matt Johnson Prestige Stadium in Barrow. Further details will follow closer to the event. 

Emma Athersmith, Head of Fundraising for CancerCare, said: “We have established CancerCare as a valuable service in the Barrow and Furness area since we started in this area two years ago. 

“It’s now time to further increase the awareness of the services we offer to different parts of the community and we are extremely excited to be working in partnership with the team at Barrow Raiders to help us achieve this. 

“The club is at the heart of the community and their ethos matches perfectly with ours. As soon as I met Adele Neale, Sales and Commercial Manager, at our first meeting in January I knew that CancerCare and Barrow Raiders would work well together!” 

CancerCare currently has a support centre at Trinity Church in Barrow and is in the process of buying a building on Duke Street in the town which will become its permanent base. The new centre will offer advice, free counselling, aromatherapy, support groups and much more to children and adults. 

Barrow Raiders’ ethos is that the club “belongs to the community” and their vision and values align directly with CancerCare’s vision and values. 

Both organisations use local suppliers and products where possible and CancerCare’s aim is to be an integral part of the Barrow and Furness community just like the rugby club.

Emma added: “We will work together to help promote healthy living and positive mental health awareness in Barrow and Furness.” 

A spokesperson for Barrow Raiders said: “Our vision includes undertaking vibrant roles in our community and being seen as an asset to Barrow in Furness, locally, nationally and internationally. 

“We are delighted to be working with CancerCare for the benefit of our local community Cancer is an issue which affects everyone and we want to help the charity to let local people know about the free support that is available to them.” 

For more information about CancerCare’s free professional support services in Barrow and Furness please call 01229 836 926 or emailbarrow.services@cancercare.org.uk

For more information on the Odd Shaped Balls partnership and fundraising in Barrow and Furness please email emma.athersmith@cancercare.org.uk