Chefs get behind 'Skyballs' campaign

The Male Cancer Awareness Campaign (MCAC) is a charity committed to the fight against testicular cancer. They state:

“Everything we do is about generating awareness. If it does not increase awareness, or reduce embarrassment, we will not do it.”

Mr Testicles is the charity champion for the MCAC campaign. The aim is to educate men on the early warning signs of testicular cancer.

The ‘Skyballs’ campaign, brainchild of Patrick Cox, aims to build a giant air balloon in the shape of a pair of testicles. What better way to gain public recognition? Can you imagine the reaction if you were to see a giant pair of testicles flying over your house?

Alan Bird, Executive Chef of ‘Bird of Smithfield’, is fully behind the campaign.

He said: “We have, all in our own way, been affected by cancer whether that be through being diagnosed or someone close to us finding out they have this horrible disease.

“This is all about raising awareness and if this doesn’t get people talking about it, nothing will.”

Alan was head chef at The Ivy for 15 years before starting his own venture at Bird of Smithfield, and has been hard at work getting people behind the ‘Skyballs’ campaign.

“There were various people involved including Gary Lineker who I asked and he generously agreed to help," explained Alan. “Others included in the auction were David Arnold, the James Bond composer, and Greg Rutherford, current Olympic long jump champion.

“Most amazing of all is that the campaign will get a mention in an episode of Family Guy; Peter Griffin is also an ambassador for Skyballs.”

Alan has been involved in charity work for years despite the heavy workload and demands of working as a chef. He has been involved with the MCAC and is fully aware that raising awareness can save lives.

He said: “I have quietly been involved in charity fundraising now for over twenty years, which has included various charities and causes. Pat (Patrick Cox) approached me to ask me to help and become an ambassador just over a year ago.

“The Skyballs campaign is about raising money to build the balloon that will raise awareness” he added, “Awareness will save lives via prevention and prevention is always better than a cure.”

'IT Crowd' star, Chris O'Dowd has also publicly backed the campaign:

The estimated cost of this event is £100,000, so the campaign needs your help! The aim is to raise awareness and, if this doesn’t raise a few eyebrows, nothing will.

For more information see:

http://www.malecancer.org/skyballs

You can follow the campaign on Twitter: @mcac_charity

By Tom Evans