THE footballing community in Tiverton is doing its bit to give cancer the red card.

A hat-trick of clubs - Tiverton Town, Elmore and Moors Youth - are all united in support of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

FORCE, the local cancer charity that runs a weekly outreach programme at Tiverton Hospital, is backing the campaign.

Tiverton Town manager Martyn Rogers is on board - he said: “I had an assistant manager who was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I'm glad to help in any way I can.

“And across town, coach Matt Howe, who liaises between Elmore and youth outfit Moors, has met the FORCE team at Tiverton to find out more about what's on offer from the charity.

“It's great that this drop-in service is available in Tiverton. I wasn't aware of what FORCE does in the town but I will be spreading the word now,” said Matt.

“My uncle died from cancer and of course we lost a great role model to young footballers in Adam Stansfield. We have to get the message out there about being careful and getting checked so the more we can raise awareness, the better,” he added.

Matt, part of a family footballing dynasty in Tiverton that spans several generations, was introduced to FORCE by his cousin, Sharon Brockington, a volunteer for the charity.

“I know what an amazing service they offer. The support for cancer patients and their families is fantastic and we need to let people in Tiverton know that help is there for them,” she said.

FORCE offers support and counselling, complementary therapies and an information service, delivered in the outpatient area of the hospital every Thursday between 1pm and 6pm. An experienced oncology nurse is also there to support patients on a drop-in basis.

Bringing cancer support closer to home is a key objective for the charity and to date it has offered more than 200 appointments to patients in Tiverton since it started in February.

Annie Kerr, FORCE Support and Information Nurse, said: “You may be aware of the campaign to raise awareness of prostate cancer which has turned the month of November into Movember, encouraging men to grow a moustache!

“However, the serious side to prostate cancer is that around one in eight men will get it at some point in their lives. It is the most common cancer in men in the UK and numbers are increasing.”