A dash of pink!

Ayr United Football Club and Ayr Rugby Club are joining forces and encouraging all supporters and the local community to get behind “A dash of pink” event in support of Cancer Charities.

On Saturday 29th July Ayr Rugby Club, famed for its Pink & Black strip which it has worn since 1897, are partnering with Ayr United who recently launched their very own Pink & Black away strip with a nod to the growing links between Football and Rugby in the town.

Both Ayr teams have home matches with Ayr United playing Alloa at home (3pm KO) and the Ayrshire Bulls hosting Watsonians later in the day (5.30pm KO). Both clubs will be wearing their "Pink & Black" strips and will be encouraging their supporters and the local community to join in and wear “a dash of pink”, in support of Ayrshire Cancer Support and Testicular Cancer charity Cahonas.

At the final whistle of the Ayr United match fans and supporters are being asked to make a “dash” to Millbrae, the home of Ayr Rugby Club to catch the start of the Ayrshire Bulls game with all ticket holders with free to entry to the Bulls game for anyone with an Ayr United season ticket or match ticket. Already local businesses and organisations have backed the event, there will be a police escort, a piper, ACS volunteer drivers, a pink truck, local taxis, tandem bike, tractors and a rumoured open top bus. (TBC)

Euan Hamilton, a 1st XV player of Ayr Rugby Club, is one of the organisers of the ‘A dash of Pink’ and an inspiration to the event having been diagnosed recently with Testicular Cancer. Euan and his teammates will be leading the dash whilst raising funds for the charities and encouraging the local community to get involved.

The fun filled day will kick off with a pre-match family BBQ at Somerset Park and will include a charity mascot race at half time.

Ayr United’s Managing Director, Graeme Mathie said, “We are delighted to be supporting the ‘Dash of Pink’ initiative - these conversations have been part of our growing relationship with Ayr Rugby Club and we are proud to be working together to support 2 fantastic charities.”

“We’ve no doubt the day will be a lot of fun and will engage the whole community and we are encouraging all of our supporters to get involved in the event and help raise much needed funds to support the great work of Cahonas & Ayrshire Cancer Support”.

Brian Williamson, Chairman of Ayr Rugby Club added, “Since Ayr Rugby Club became a charity at the end of last year, we have been working closely with Ayr United to see how we can better serve our local community and the town of Ayr.”

“The launch of Ayr United’s “Pink & Black” away strip in June signalled the start of many great things to come. We look forward to welcoming to Millbrae all the fans and supporters who make the “Dash of Pink” from Somerset Park!

“Ayrshire Cancer Support and Cahonas are tremendous charities and we are thankful to them for the support shown to one of our own, Euan Hamilton, a star of our 1st XV who was diagnosed with Testicular Cancer in March this year. We urge the sporting and wider community to get involved in this fun event and help raise as much money as possible.”

Ayrshire Cancer Support provides free practical and emotional support for people affected by cancer. ACS provide a hospital transport service, drop-in centre, counselling and complementary services.

Testicular Cancer education, awareness and support charity Cahonas support those diagnosed with Testicular Cancer through peer support and Chemotherapy Care Packages and via their awareness programme aim to ensure all cases of Testicular Cancer are detected at the earliest stage possible where treatment is more effective and survival rates are higher.

Please donate to this worthwhile cause, if anyone is interested in getting involved either as a participant, group or business please email [email redacted].uk with "Dash of Pink" as subject title.