Lynton man gets blue rinse to fight prostate cancer

dave.tanner@archant.co.uk
02 April 2010

TRUE BLUE: Pelham Reilly from Lynton is leading a colourful crusade against prostate cancer.

A North Devon man suffering from prostate cancer has given himself a colourful make-over and taken to the road to raise awareness of the disease.

Pelham Reilly, 62, from Lynton, has decided to fundraise for The Prostate Cancer Charity and support its Prostate Cancer Awareness Month throughout March by dyeing his hair blue and attaching a trailer with a charity banner to his car to spread the word wherever he goes.

Pelham was diagnosed with the disease two years ago following routine tests and is currently receiving treatment.

"I came up with the idea to dye my hair blue because I thought it would get people asking questions," said Pelham.

"I also spend a fair amount of time driving to and from Surrey, so taking to the road with an eight by four foot banner will get motorists to take notice, particularly because you can't really drive that fast with it on the motorway!

He added: "Receiving a cancer diagnosis hit me for six, but thanks to my family's support I'm managing to get through it. It was only because I changed surgeries and was given a general health check that I was ever tested for prostate cancer. I feel very passionate about raising men's awareness of the disease."

Throughout March, The Prostate Cancer Charity is encouraging its supporters to "do blue" by doing, wearing or organising something with a blue theme to fundraise and raise awareness of the hidden cancer.

People can support the month by visiting their local Marks and Spencer store where trolley tokens and pens will be on sale for a suggested £2 donation.

Claire Walsh, head of community fundraising at the charity, said: "It's fantastic Pelham is raising awareness and supporting the charity in this way.

"His blue hair will certainly cause people to do a double-take and potentially hundreds of drivers and passengers will see his trailer, which is absolutely brilliant."

Anyone who wants to donate to the charity can do so via Pelham's Just Giving page online at www.justgiving.com/Pelham-Reilly.

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month aims to leave the cancer with "nowhere to hide" this year and expose all of the unseen aspects of the disease, from the fact it can be a taboo topic, to hidden support and information needs of men living with the disease.

To find out more details about Prostate Cancer Awareness Month please visit http://www.hiddencancer.org.uk.