Royal Mail has chosen Prostate Cancer UK as its dedicated charity of the year following a company ballot, and hopes to raise over £2m for the fund in the next two years.
The move comes as the charity reveals a new brand identity. More than 36,000 employees – 45% of the staff vote – chose Prostate Cancer UK. They hope to fund up to 50 specialist prostate cancer nurses to help some 44,000 men.
Employees hope to raise £1m, which will be matched by Royal Mail – the first time the organisation has done this.
Prostate Cancer UK chief executive Owen Sharp said: “The fact that Royal Mail employees voted for us shows how much men’s health, and prostate cancer in particular, is an issue that just can’t be ignored any more.
“This partnership will make a real and tangible difference to the quarter of a million men living with this disease. As well as ensuring more men build a relationship with a specialist nurse – which they tell us is invaluable – it will help us get the message out to thousands of Royal Mail employees. We thank all of the Royal Mail staff who voted for us.”
Royal Mail chief executive Moya Greene added: “Our goal is to raise as much as possible for this worthy cause. In addition, by match funding the efforts of our people, penny for penny, we can make a real difference to the very valuable work they do for men and their families affected by prostate cancer, across the UK.”
Royal Mail’s previous partnership with Barnardo’s raised £2.6 million for the charity over four years.
