Charter Walk shopping centre has partnered with local charity groups to offer 200 subsidised blood tests for men, aiming to detect early signs of prostate cancer. The tests, priced at £5 each, are available to men aged 40 and older, with the remaining £21 cost covered by fundraising.
Community Collaboration Funds Health Checks
The initiative brings together Charter Walk, The Mayoress's Committee, and the East Lancs Prostate Cancer Support Group. Together, they have pooled resources to fund the tests as part of the Mayor of Burnley's civic charity work for the year.
Initial funds were raised through a pop-up charity shop on Howe Walk, which generated enough money to subsidise 100 tests. Charter Walk then matched this effort by funding an additional 100 tests, doubling the total available.
Simple Procedure and Results
The blood test requires no physical examination, and participants receive their results by letter or email shortly after their appointment. This straightforward process is designed to encourage more men to take proactive steps towards their health, given that prostate cancer affects one in eight men in their lifetime.
Centre staff chose to support the project after several team members and their families were affected by the disease in recent years. Debbie Hernon, centre manager at Charter Walk, said: "This is a cause that is incredibly close to our hearts. Many of us have seen first-hand the impact that prostate cancer can have on individuals and families, which is why we were determined to support this important initiative."
She added: "The Mayoress's Committee has done an amazing job raising funds through the pop-up shop, and we are proud to contribute towards doubling the number of tests available. By helping men access a simple, affordable test, we hope to encourage more people to take an important step towards protecting their health."
Volunteers Praise Community Effort
Kathleen Birtwistle, a volunteer on The Mayoress's Committee, highlighted the collective effort: "This initiative has been a real community effort, and we are incredibly proud of what has been achieved. The Mayoress's Committee set out to make prostate health testing more accessible to local men, and our volunteers have worked tirelessly to raise the funds needed through the pop-up shop."
She continued: "We are hugely grateful to everyone who donated, volunteered and supported us by shopping with us, and to Charter Walk for generously funding a further 100 tests. Together with the East Lancs Prostate Cancer Support Group, we can now offer 200 men the opportunity to have this simple blood test for just £5."
Birtwistle added: "Our message now is simple: if you are a man aged 40 or over, please don't put it off, book your test and take an important step towards looking after your health."
Booking Details and Next Steps
Organisers are urging eligible men to book their appointments early, as places are limited. The tests will take place on September 19, 2026, at Howe Walk, Burnley, and cost £5. Appointments must be booked in advance by visiting www.mypsatest.com and searching for the Burnley event.
For further information, visit www.charterwalk.com or check the centre's social media pages at www.facebook.com/CharterWalk.Burnley and @CharterWalk. The initiative is part of the Mayor of Burnley's chosen civic charity work for the year, and the collaboration ensures that 200 men can access this potentially life-saving test at a reduced cost.
