RANGERS Charity Foundation is hosting a pilot health project to help men living with prostate cancer.

Prostate Football Fans in Training is a 12-week programme which will help people to get more active, fitter and healthier and it has been launched at Ibrox.

While the programme has proved popular and delivered impressive weight loss results before, the main aim is improving overall health rather than simply shedding pounds.

Jordan Boyd, community programmes manager at the Rangers Charity Foundation said: “FFIT is one of our most popular community programmes and last season’s participants lost an amazing 88 stones and 299 inches collectively!

“We are delighted to be able to offer this new free weekly FFIT programme to men who have or have had prostate cancer and be able to help them on their journeys to recovery.

"It will start at Ibrox on Monday, January 16 5-7pm and will have a focus on rebuilding muscle and improving health and well-being, rather than weight loss.

“For more information and to get involved, email rangerscharity@rangers.co.uk or call 0141 580 8775.”

It is being piloted by the SPFL Trust in partnership with Prostate Scotland and is open to all men living with the disease.

Men can self-refer or be referred by a clinician, and they will take part in a specially-catered exercise regime designed with the help of Glasgow University Health and Wellbeing Institute and The Exercise Clinic.

Participants will also receive a personal workbook to help them follow the course and have access to specifically developed videos to continue exercising at home.

SPFL Trust CEO Nicky Reid said: “Football Fans in Training is our flagship health and wellbeing programme, with over 7,000 people completing the initiative over the last 12 years.

"In this time we’ve learnt that a key strength of the programme is the environment - the familiarity of a football club can go a long way in encouraging people to take that first step.

"We are delighted to have been able to work with partners to tailor FFIT for men living with prostate cancer.

"Exercise is such an important part of their treatment, and we feel privileged to be a small part of their journey.”

One crucial aspect of Prostate FFIT is that it will create a space for men affected by prostate cancer and a place for them to meet others in a similar situation, offering informal peer support. 

Chris Cottrell lives with advanced prostate cancer and is the co-founder of The Exercise Clinic.

He said: “My message is that for many, exercise is one of the best ways to get back some control of your life during a period when I certainly felt I was at risk of losing control.

"There are few things that are more bewildering and disempowering than being told that you have cancer, so regaining a sense of agency is vital.

"There is now strong evidence that men with prostate cancer who exercised consistently have a better survival rate."

Director of Prostate Scotland, Adam Gaines, added: “Research and clinical guidelines show the importance of exercise for men with prostate cancer.

"This new and innovative exercise programme is aimed at helping towards tackling the impact prostate cancer can have on the lives of men living with prostate cancer, especially for those on hormone therapy.

“The benefit of Prostate FFIT courses, offered in professional football clubs, is in providing engaging, beneficial and helpful exercise and healthy lifestyle courses in line with clinical guidelines.

"There are too few specialist exercise courses for men with prostate cancer in Scotland. We aim to close that gap.

“We are delighted to have developed Prostate FFIT with our partners the SPFL Trust and the University of Glasgow.”

For more information about the Prostate FFIT, visit this link.