Sunderland, Newcastle United, Middlesbrough and Carlisle United team up for cancer initiative

Sunderland, Newcastle United, Middlesbrough and Carlisle United team up for cancer programme.

Four Football Clubs across the North East and North Cumbria are teaming up with the Northern Cancer Alliance to launch an innovative programme to support to people living with the condition.

Representatives from the EFL and Northern Cancer Alliance with some of the club charities and trusts involved mark the launch of the programme. | Third party

placeholder image — Representatives from the EFL and Northern Cancer Alliance with some of the club charities and trusts involved mark the launch of the programme. | Third party

The English Football League (EFL) is rolling out the programme across Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Newcastle United and Carlisle United club charities in partnership with the eight hospital trusts in the area.

'Versus Cancer' will offer free weekly ‘prehabilitation’ and ‘rehabilitation’ sessions to support adults to get into the best possible condition when preparing for, and recovering from, cancer treatment or surgery. Research shows that patients who are fitter are more able to cope with the strains of cancer treatment.

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Debbie Cook, Director of Community at the EFL, said: “Versus Cancer is more than just exercise; for many, it is a lifeline, reducing isolation by bringing together like-minded individuals who share similar experiences and truly understand what each other is going through.”

The programme will begin this summer, running for 12 months. Patients aged 18 and over should speak to their hospital cancer teams for details.