Prostate Cancer UK hails pub trade support - and the PMA

More than 10,000 men every year die in the UK from prostate cancer and by 2030 it’s set to be the most common cancer of all.

The Men United Arms campaign​ see pubs transforming their exterior and interior, hosting quiz and music nights, and placing collection tins and badges on bars.

Pubcos Punch and Spirit (now Greene King) have promoted the campaign to tenants and managers, and more than 30 pubs across the country have shown support. CAMRA has also decided to back the initiative by raising awareness through its networks.

Owen Sharp, chief executive of Prostate Cancer UK, wrote an opinion piece for the magazine​ earlier this year and is delighted with the outcome.

'Blown away'​

He said: “Thanks to brilliant support from the PMA, pubs all round the country have opened their doors in the name of Men United. Whether hosting a quiz nights or transforming the bar, every Men United Arms has done its bit by getting blokes discussing the disease and raising money to help beat it once and for all.

“We’ve been blown away by the success publicans and their staff have made of the Men United Arms idea and we can’t wait to see which locals are going to be next to open their doors for men’s health in the coming months.”

Read one licensee's experience of the Men United Arms​​

The charity launched the campaign at The Anchor, Bankside in London, and since there has been pubs in Ipswich, Exmouth, Newcastle and Widnes all showing their support in line with a specific sporting event.

Further activity is planned during the Rugby World Cup in September and October.

Several companies have also approached the charity with ideas to further expand the campaign through interactive screens in bars to improve awareness of the disease and spread the health message.