Brewer’s big push for cancer awareness

A brewer from Hellesdon has started his biggest Beer Push challenge yet to raise vital funds for a testicular cancer charity.

David Holliday – co-owner of Moon Gazer Ale, in Hindringham – is planning to complete seven ultra marathons in seven days while pushing a barrel of beer and trolley weighing in at 75kg.

BIG PUSH: David Holliday has started his latest Beer Push.

The 60-year-old fundraiser began his challenge on Wednesday, October 1. He is following a 50km (31-mile) route around Norwich each day, beginning his push in the car park of The Bull pub in Hellesdon at about 7.45am and finishing at the Forum in the centre of Norwich at about 6.30pm.
As well as aiming to raise £60,000 for the Norfolk charity It’s On The Ball, David also hopes his challenge will get young men talking about testicular cancer.

He said: “Awareness really helps to highlight that it is young men – aged 18 to 24 – who are most likely to be affected by this cancer, but by checking themselves monthly they can have a 96% survival rate.

“However, late diagnosis, just by a few weeks, can all too often be fatal as the cancer spreads so vigorously. As we always say, this cancer need not take any young man’s life, and we can stop it simply by getting guys chatting about it and checking themselves monthly.

“If the sight of me pushing a blue barrel in my bright yellow top is enough to make young men stop and think – it is worth it.”

Hellesdon is where David lives but is also where Fred Riseborough grew up and went to school. The beer push is dedicated to Fred who tragically died at just 24 – and by carrying out the push in his memory it uses his sad loss to hopefully save others.

David said: “We thank Fred’s parents Jo and Steve and indeed all his family for once again allowing us to use Fred’s tragic passing and his memory in the hope to spread awareness and stop other young men needlessly dying from this cancer.

“Fred was a former Hellesdon High student and our route will pass Fred’s school and the road where he grew up.
“Germ cell cancer is the cancer which causes testicular cancer, but in Fred’s case it grew in his chest cavity. Just seven months after diagnosis on May 1, 2018, he died after his lungs could not cope with pneumonia.

“Fred’s story highlights the cruelty of this cancer – it does not discriminate, looking for the weak or unhealthy – it can strike anyone down.”
The money raised will go to support It’s On The Ball, a charity set up to provide support to patients and their families and raise awareness of testicular cancer.

Pubs along the route will also be serving a specially brewed Moon Gazer ale called Beer Push Special. David would love to see people join him, either for one mile or 31 miles – or just to pop along and wish him well.

To make a donation, visit www.moongazerale.co.uk and click on Charity Beer Push. You will be able to see his route and track his progress live by following the link published on the @moongazerale social media sites each morning