Chestnut Appeal: Vegetables Are Super!

Raising awareness of Men’s Cancers is at the heart of everything we do, and for 20 years we’ve aimed to make a marked difference to men’s health across the region.

We believe that when dealing with a cancer diagnosis you can feel utterly lost and out of control of your own body, and we really want to help men through this initial step, and what can help is to do something you can control in your life. It’s not only empowering, but it’s a big positive step to take when everything seems so negative, so we are helping men across the region access the best diet possible.

In a pioneering pilot project for the South West, we will be working with Riverford Organic, giving 250 men who are newly diagnosed with prostate cancer, two free veg boxes and a cookery book to set them on a healthier journey, helping to not only take back a little bit of control but to help live well during cancer treatments.

We will be launching this project at two local hospitals this autumn and also following this up with a special support group taster session, where patients can learn about different veg and how to cook them. More than 47,000 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed in the UK every year, that’s 129 men a day yet less than 30% of people know where the prostate gland is, let alone what it does, so a lot of work is still needed.

The success of the Chestnut Appeal is a testament to what can be achieved if we work together as a community. Over the coming years, we aim to improve these vital services and do much more in the area, helping reach more of the community. We have a lot to be thankful for, and a huge amount to do in the future to ensure men’s health is continually talked about, that the South West corner of the UK isn’t forgotten about and, that we’re able to attract the very best technologies to the area. This is why we hold events like our swims, and this is why we encourage groups and clubs to fundraise for the charity, so we can keep our vital work going and help as many people as possible in our area.

During the pandemic charities have suffered in fact, UK charities are struggling to cope with a £10bn shortfall caused by soaring demand for their services and lost fundraising income due to the coronavirus pandemic, a study by Pro Bono Economics, an independent charity, shows.

Over the years we’ve realised that Men’s Health suffers from an imbalance and at the core of our work is highlighting this most common cancer in men, as well as Prostate Cancer, we also raise awareness of Testicular Cancer and Penile Cancer, two other quite treatable cancers that sadly if left can be devastating. We believe it is vital to get more men talking about their health and taking action when they feel like something could be wrong, and a lot of our time is spent out in the community giving free talks and seminars about these three cancers. We also run a local support group online and in the community, we try to be there to help as much as we can.

So please consider supporting your local charity.

To find out more about the Chestnut Appeal or to donate, head to

www.chestnutappeal.org.uk