Reds and Blades - Together At Every Step for Weston Park

The launch of a football season-long partnership between Barnsley FC and Sheffield United FC has raised a near five-figure sum for Weston Park Cancer Charity.

The ‘Together At Every Step’ partnership has seen the two clubs put regional football rivalries to one side in support of Weston Park for the 2021-22 football season.

Following a unique press conference-style announcement of the new partnership at Weston Park Cancer Support, home to our cancer support services, almost £10,000 was raised by the initiative’s launch when the clubs played each other in the SkyBet Championship at Oakwell.

Among the main contributors to the impressive total were generous donations by fans of both clubs, who gave thousands of pounds via a bucket collection outside Oakwell on the day of the game.

Barnsley-based company, BAPP Industrial Supplies – a long-term Weston Park Cancer Charity supporter – also provided a four-figure donation to match on-the-day fundraising, bringing the total raised by the event to more than £9,800.

Darren Hayes, our Business Development Manager, said: “We can’t quite put into words how grateful we are for the generosity of Barnsley FC and Sheffield United FC, both sets of fans, our incredible supporters and sponsors and partners of both clubs.

“The awareness and funds raised, the messages and comments of support, and the general buzz created by the partnership during its launch will all help us continue our commitment to care in every sense for people affected by cancer.

“One in two people will face a cancer diagnosis in their lives, and it is our pledge to be there, together at every step, for those people and their loved ones by providing support, enhancing treatment experiences and enabling vital research into better treatment and care.”

A joint fundraising page was set-up to enable fans of both clubs to come together to support Weston Park, with funds also generously pledged by fans, organisations and Weston Park supporters through auctions, raffles and donations on the day of the game.

Dean Cook, Chairman of the BAPP Group of Companies said: “We’re always more than happy to show our support for Weston Park Cancer Charity, an organisation which does so much to support people in Barnsley and the surrounding areas.

“This new partnership between Barnsley FC and Sheffield United FC is wonderful and unique. We’re delighted to have played our part in raising such an impressive total from the partnership’s launch.

“Huge congratulations to the two football clubs, to both sets of fans, to the team at Weston Park Cancer Charity and everybody who has contributed to making this partnership such a success already.”

Funds raised by the Together At Every Step partnership will make a huge impact as we aim to highlight the specialist support we provide and enable for young people facing cancer this Christmas.

We recently launched our Christmas Star Appeal to raise awareness and funds for care and support for young people and their families, who are dealing with the harsh realities of cancer at such a young age. To find out more or donate, click here.

Andrew Clark, Head of Marketing and Communications at Barnsley FC, said: “We’re so happy to see how much was raised by the Together At Every Step partnership’s launch.

“It’s our pleasure to have joined with Sheffield United to get behind Weston Park, particularly given that both the hospital and the charity support thousands of people in and around the Barnsley area each year.

“We’re proud to support its work by raising vital funds and awareness – a huge thank you to both sets of fans for backing this unique initiative.”

Dave McCarthy, Head of Operations at Sheffield United FC, said: “We were excited to join with Barnsley FC to form the Together At Every Step partnership and unite behind such a great cause. Cancer will sadly touch the lives of all of us, either directly or indirectly, so we want to do our bit to help those affected by it.

“We’ve proudly supported Weston Park for more than 25 years, and by joining with Barnsley for the 2021-22 season, we aim to continue the momentum built by a successful launch.

“A huge well done to everyone who has contributed to its success so far – we look forward to the ‘return fixture’ at Bramall Lane in March, as well as countless other activities and events this season.”