Fundraising Norfolk brewer David Holliday is setting himself a new challenge — pushing 75kg of beer while completing seven marathons in seven days around Norfolk.
David Holliday, of Moon Gazer Ales, ready for the next charity challenge
Back in April, David, co-founder of Moon Gazer Ales, in Hindringham, raised more than £22,000 for local testicular cancer awareness charity It’s on the Ball. He pushed a 75kg barrel of beer 149 miles, from his brewery to the oncology unit at St Bart’s Hospital, in central London.
David said: “The response all the way to London was so amazing — not just from a fundraising perspective, but more importantly from the awareness of this little-talked-about disease, which needlessly still takes the lives of young men.
“What struck me most was, that of all the people who approached us on our journey, the only ones who had heard of this cancer were those who had direct experience — sadly, usually, by losing a loved one.”
He added: “What hit home was, while I was pushing up a hill in Essex, a lady in her 80s pulled up in her car, having followed our route, got out to wish us well, and said: ‘I lost my grandson to testicular cancer. You doing this will stop other grans suffering like me. Thank you so very much.’
“This was so very sad, but at the same time so uplifting in that it highlighted the simplicity of what we do. Just by getting people talking about the cancer we can save lives. That made me realise I could not stop at this challenge!”
It’s on the Ball helps to highlight that it is young men – aged 18 to 24 – who are most likely to be affected by testicular cancer. But by checking themselves monthly they can have a 98% survival rate. However, late diagnosis can all too often be fatal, as the cancer spreads vigorously.
David and the team at It’s on the Ball are now planning the challenge, from 1st-7th October 2023. He will criss-cross around Norfolk with an event planned at the end of each marathon to further help boost awareness.
Should you wish to be involved then David and the team would love to hear from you. Get in touch via the Moon Gazer Ales website.
