I WOULD like to extend a big thank-you to Marks & Spencer staff and customers at stores across the region for all of their incredible support in making March's Prostate Cancer Awareness Month such a huge success this year.

There are 250,000 men living with prostate cancer in the UK, yet it is a disease that is too rarely spoken about openly.

The Prostate Cancer Charity used its annual awareness month to increase understanding of prostate cancer and highlight the fact that it is often thought of as 'the hidden disease'.

M&S has partnered the charity for the past four years, and if there was an Olympic medal for fundraising effort, their staff would win it every time.

This year, stores sold a selection of men's underwear, pin badges, pens and trolley tokens in aid of the charity and employees in stores across the country took part in a variety of weird and wonderful fundraising activities for the cause.

M&S has raised more than £242,000 so far, with money still flooding in.

More than £35,000 of this came directly from staff who took on board the charity's 'do blue' fundraising initiative and signed up for feats including wearing their pyjamas to work, jumping out of aeroplanes and sitting in baths of turquoise jelly to raise vital funds.

M&S is a huge part of the charity's awareness month and stores across the UK have been incredibly supportive. On behalf of the Prostate Cancer Charity I would like to thank each and every member of their team across the UK, and their local customers who made the campaign possible.

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month exposed all of the unseen aspects of the disease, from the fact that it can be a taboo topic, to hidden support and information needs of men living with the disease, which are often not fully met. I would urge anyone with any concerns about the disease to call the Charity's Helpline on 0800 074 8383.

Mark Foster via email