Sponsored by
'Prof' lookalikes on the run for charity
COMPETITORS taking part in a Sheffield charity fun run are being asked to dress up as the city's top cancer doctor.
Those taking part in Weston Park Hospital's 3k event have been asked dress up as Professor Barry Hancock – the hospital's world-renowned cancer specialist – to mark his forthcoming retirement.
Prof Hancock, was recently awarded an OBE at Buckingham Palace and is due to retire at the end of July after 35 years at the hospital.
He has agreed to fire the starting pistol for the 3k fun run – to take place alongside the 10k Run in the Park – and allow competitors to don fancy dress to look like him.
Rachel Thorpe, director at Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity, said: "Professor Hancock was instrumental in starting the charity 15 years ago and with his retirement looming, naming our brand new 3k fun run the Prof Hancock Fun Run seemed the obvious and right thing to do."
Rachel said 'Prof' as he is affectionately known by his colleagues, had agreed to present a 'best-dressed Prof award' to the runner who looks most like him.
Professor Hancock said: "It is a great privilege to have been asked to start the fun run.
"The competition wasn't my idea but I'm sure there will be a turn-out of people dressed in professor jackets with grey wigs and glasses!"
The event, on Sunday June 12, is part of the charity's Men's Cancer Campaign.
Professor Hancock said: "The event is a fantastic way of not only raising vital funds for the charity, but also increasing awareness of male cancer.
"In addition to providing specialist treatment and care, the hospital is already at the forefront of cancer research in the UK and the work we are doing now will further enhance our reputation as a leading cancer research centre.
"We can only achieve all this through the extra funding received through kind donations from the public."
The month-long Men's Cancer Campaign includes events aimed at men such as golf days and football tournaments.
It culminates with the Run in the Park, a 10K race alongside the fun run, on Sunday July 12 at Graves Park, Sheffield.
Visit http://www.wphcancercharity.org.uk to enter.
What do you think? Add your comment below.
READ MORE
Main news index
Your letters
Features
South Yorkshire's environmental news
Kids Zone
More business news
More Rotherham news
More Doncaster news
More Barnsley news
Latest sport.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
