A group of staff members from across MAN Truck & Bus UK Ltd and MAN Financial Services have formed a team to take part in a nationwide football tournament organised by the BBC and the FA.
The avid footballers are aiming to raise funds for men’s health charities, the Bob Champion Cancer Trust and Prostate Cancer UK.
Leading the squad of seven is MAN Truck & Bus UK’s Head of Aftersales Business Development, Dennis Evans, who has battled testicular cancer himself.
“Twenty years ago I was diagnosed with stage 4 Teratoma-testicular cancer by accident and was given just a few months to live.
“My doctor diagnosed me when I went to him for a certificate to get out of a skiing trip I was too unwell to go on. If I had not seen my doctor at this point, the cancer would have been missed and I may not be here now.
“Luckily, I undertook an experimental form of chemotherapy which I owe my life to.
“It is of paramount importance to raise awareness of men’s health concerns; prostate and testicular cancer in particular. Many people don’t know how widespread cancer actually is and how easily it can be prevented.”
Joining Dennis will be Lamar Stevens and Vince Goodenough from Parts, Patrick Connolly from Sales, Rob Zubovic from Finance, Mike Evans from Aftersales, and Mike Corkeran, Neil Duncan and Stuart Whitehead from MAN Financial Services.
The FA People’s Cup tournament will take place over three rounds. The first round will be on the weekend of 20-22 February. Eight regional venues will host the semi-finals, on 24-26 April.
The finals will take place on Monday, 25 May in Manchester, and the winning teams will be given a VIP trip to the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium on 30 May.
The team has set up a Just Giving page where donations can be made securely online here.
“These are two incredibly worthwhile causes that need our support and we want to do everything we can to raise as much money for it as possible,” said Dennis. “We are all training as hard as possible and looking forward to playing our first match later on this month.
For more information about the charities click here or here.