David Holliday is a trustee of It’s On The Ball, the Norfolk testicular cancer charity. Ahead of a 10th anniversary ball this month the co-owner of Moon Gazer Ales explains why he got involved
Who are you and what do you do?
I am co-owner of Moon Gazer ale which I started with my wife Rachel in 2012 when we decided to have a complete career and lifestyle change. We are proud of our achievements at the brewery winning many local, national and regional awards – and while choosing to remain a small, sustainable business we have developed a great reputation across Norfolk, Suffolk and beyond. Running the brewery has also allowed us to use its platform to work closely with Our chosen charity It’s On The Ball and help them to raise awareness of testicular cancer.
Initially we supported the charity by producing a special beer – Tobi’s Tipple – each January to sell across pubs in Norfolk and Suffolk. The beer helped to get young men talking and raised the much-needed awareness – this campaign still happens each year, but our support has also moved into fundraisers, with my beer push exploits having raised over £43,000.
What led you to becoming involved with It’s On The Ball in the first place? When did you become a Trustee?
Becoming involved with It’s On The Ball was actually Rachel’s idea and we have seen the relationship grow and develop now over the last six to seven years. When Vince from the charity first approached us, it was a time when there was still some stigma about testicular cancer – and often because of this while people may have been keen to help, they stood back from doing so. However, we were so impressed by the dedication of the small team – the male trustees were all survivors of this cancer and wanted to give back the help and support they were given by raising awareness. You see, no young man needs to die from this disease but so sadly they do. We wanted to get involved and spread the message that survival rates can be as high as 96% but only with early diagnosis so the importance of monthly self-checking can literally save your life.
Since becoming involved with the charity we have had more direct experience of the impact of the disease, with a friend’s son – Fred – dying at the age of just 24 and also a friend of mine succumbing to the disease having beat it once.
So, this made us even more determined to get the message across. This year I also joined the charity as a trustee to allow me to get more involved and support them in more ways.
How have you supported the charity, with Beer Push and Tobi’s Tipple?
The annual production of the charity ale really helped – and demonstrated to us the simplicity of what we needed to do – get men talking about the disease and how to check themselves. We can make an immediate and lifesaving difference. As such, I wanted to see how else we could keep the conversation going. The idea of the beer push was born, and I initially pushed the bright blue barrel of beer – weighing in at 75kg from the brewery in North Norfolk down to the oncology team at St Bart’s Hospital in central London – a distance of 149 miles and taking nine days. We chose St Bart’s since it was where many people from Norfolk will go to be treated but also the place where Fred sadly died.
It was an amazing experience in so many ways but again highlighted the importance of getting the message out there – encapsulated perfectly when an elderly lady tracked us down and said, “If there were more people like you, I would still have a grandson”, so how could we stop? Plans were made for the following year when I pushed the barrel around Norfolk completing seven consecutive marathons in seven days.
While raising lots of awareness and chatting to men enroute the funds raised also allow Vince and other trustees to hold awareness talks at business, schools, colleges and sports clubs.
Plans are already in place for Beer Push 2025 – which will be my last physical challenge – as I am not getting any younger – and will involve seven consecutive ultra marathons, seeing me complete 350km around Norwich in seven days. If it takes the sight of me looking stupid, in my bright yellow top and blue barrel, to get men talking then that’s what we will do.
How has it evolved as a charity over the past 10 years? For example, how are the patient support packs helping men diagnosed with testicular cancer?
The charity remains committed to awareness-raising but also supporting those going through treatment – and the trustees’ direct experience of serving the cancer is an invaluable comfort and support to so many men and their families. When I was doing the second beer push the wife of a local man undergoing treatment stopped me to thank the charity for providing the support – citing the empathy and experience as one of the things that helped get her husband through.
The charity also often steps in and provide financial support. Often the treatment from diagnosis happens very quickly and young men will find themselves away from work but still with bills to pay and financial support can give the patient one less thing to worry about while they get themselves sorted. While survival rates are high, that is dependent – as I mentioned – on early diagnosis. This is one of the fastest spreading cancers and so time is critical.
The support packs provide patients with items they will need for treatment – but also that reassurance of ‘we’ve been there’ – simple touches such as soft toothbrushes for when the treatment gives you bleeding gums – and even mints for when the chemo gives you a metallic taste in your mouth – all says we know what you need.
But often it’s just the reassuring words and someone to talk to that really makes a difference. The charity runs a support group in Norfolk but also supports the group in St Bart’s as well.
What’s happening to mark the anniversary later this year and how can people get involved?
This year the charity is celebrating its 10th anniversary and will be marking the occasion with a charity Snow Ball at Sprowston Manor Hotel. The ball is open to all and will allow people to thank Vince and the team for all they have done over 10 years but also celebrate the difference they have made to so many people’s and families’ lives. It will also be a lot of fun – with live music, a comedy compere as well as a charity auction – oh and some great food with a three-course meal and welcome drink included in the £50. If you would like to join in the event, then you can book seats or a table of 10. Also, get in touch if you would like to help in other ways either with an auction or raffle prize.
What are your hopes for the charity for the next decade?
The plans for the next 10 years are more of the same please – until every man knows how to check themselves and the importance of doing so then there is always someone to tell and help.
The difference in awareness over the last 10 years has been amazing, however, and it would be great to see that progress continue and for it to become the norm for men to check themselves in the same way the breast cancer message is now so well understood by women of all ages. Most importantly we want men to know that they have someone they can turn to, can talk to and can get support from.
Getting a diagnosis of testicular cancer will be life changing but thanks to Vince and the team at It’s On The Ball it needn’t be life ending – let’s just get checking monthly. The team at Moon Gazer and me will obviously continue to do all we can to support the efforts of the It’s On The Ball team
It’s On The Ball‘s 10th anniversary Tobi’s Snow Ball, takes place on Saturday November 23, 2024, at Sprowston Manor Hotel, Norwich. Tickets are £50 which includes arrival drinks, and a 3-course meal. To book, visit It’s On The Ball.
Featured images – supplied
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