The Mayor's Charity has chosen prostate cancer as its cause, supporting the Local Prostate Cancer Support Group, and has subsidised the cost of blood tests for 140 local men

More than 100 local men have been given potentially important information about their prostate health following the first testing day organised through the Mayor of Burnley’s Charity.

A total of 140 men attended the recent event, with the cost of their blood tests heavily subsidised thanks to money raised by the Mayoress’s Committee Pop-Up Shop.

The Mayor’s Charity has chosen prostate cancer as its cause, supporting the Local Prostate Cancer Support Group.

Of the 138 results received so far, 112 were categorised as green, while 14 were amber and 12 were red. Two results were still awaited.

The organisers said the results highlight the importance of making prostate health testing accessible to men in the local community.

The testing day ran from 9-30am until after 2pm, with three phlebotomists working continuously to see all 140 men who had booked appointments.

The Mayor also visited during the day to see the testing taking place and meet some of those involved in organising the initiative.

The scheme has been funded through money raised by the Mayoress’s Committee Pop-Up Shop, which was supported by local residents who donated goods, volunteered and shopped at the event.

Charter Walk Shopping Centre has also provided support towards the testing programme.

The organisers receive only anonymous aggregate results, with no names or individual medical information.

The second testing day, on Saturday, October 17th, is already fully booked, but 90 places are available for a third event on Saturday, January 9th, 2027.

From January 1st, the normal cost of the test will increase to £27. However, men attending the January testing day will pay just £5, with the remainder subsidised by money raised through the local fund-raising campaign.

Kathleen Birtwistle, who helped organise the Pop-Up Shop, and the wife of former Burnley MP Gordon Birtwistle, said: “We are absolutely delighted that 140 local men took the opportunity to have their prostate health blood test at our first testing day.

“Seeing the results has really brought home how important it is that we continue to make these checks accessible to local men.

“We now have 90 places available for our January testing day. The normal cost of the test will be £27 from January, but because local people have worked so hard to raise this money, men will still pay just £5.

“Our message is simple: if you haven’t booked yet, please don’t put it off. This is an opportunity that your own community has worked hard to provide.”

Men can book a place for the January testing day by visiting mypsatests.org.uk and following the links to Event Testing and then Burnley.

Appointments can also be booked by calling Kathleen on 07850 814466.

Anyone needing help with registration can meet Kathleen and the team in Burnley town centre on Saturday, October 17th, when they will be available to assist with the booking process.