TV Favourite Jo Brand Puts Her Best Foot Forward for Macmillan Cancer Support

LONDON, August 8, 2011 -

Britain’s best-loved comedienne and TV favourite Jo Brand has joined forces with her co-star Joanna Scanlan and director Peter Capaldi, for a brand new comedy film (54 seconds) to launch Macmillan Cancer Support’s new ‘Move More’ campaign.

The film sees Jo Brand running around South London, in what looks like some hardcore marathon training. She eventually runs into her kitchen with Joanna Scanlan and produces a pint of milk; it then becomes clear she only ran to the corner shop.

Renowned actor and director, Peter Capaldi, joined the funny twosome, and provided the voiceover for the film reuniting him with the two lead stars of his Bafta award winning nursing comedy, ‘Getting On’.  

Jo Brand said: “People will look at me and go, ‘why’s that fat, unfit, menopausal, middle-aged woman telling us what to do? She surely never takes any exercise.’ Well you’re wrong there, because I do.

“I’m just trying to spread the word and upturn the myth that actually you should be resting after cancer treatment. You shouldn’t, you should be getting out and doing any kind of exercise you can. You don’t have to run a marathon, but you just have to up your activity levels.”

As part of the ‘Move More’ campaign, Macmillan Cancer Support is publishing startling new research that shows health professionals are not telling cancer patients about the many benefits of physical activity post-treatment. Doing enough physical activity after cancer reduces effects of treatment and can even reduce the risk of mortality and recurrence.

A free ‘getting started’ pack to help ease people into physical activity after cancer treatment, including a  seed pack from The National Gardens Scheme, to encourage gardening as a way to get active, is now available from www.macmillan.org.uk/movemore. Those affected by the disease can also interact with the online cancer community on the Macmillan website.

The film and the behind the scenes film can be viewed at www.macmillan.org.uk/movemore and youtube.com/macmillancancer.

Notes to Editors:

Corporate support for the campaign:

The National Gardens Scheme (NGS) and their president Joe Swift are supporting the ‘Move More’ campaign by encouraging people to get gardening for the benefit of their health. Gardening is a great way to get active and an excellent way to improve strength, endurance, mobility and flexibility, with a range of activities to suit all ages, abilities, energy levels and gardens.

As part of a long-term partnership, Boots UK is supporting Macmillan’s physical activity campaign by encouraging customers to get active. In all of its 2,500 stores from 10 August until 6 September 2011, customers can pick up a leaflet highlighting the benefits of physical activity when going through cancer. This will sit alongside a leaflet encouraging people to get active and raise money for Macmillan. This is part of its Miles for Macmillan activity - to clock up 290,000 miles, one mile for each person diagnosed with cancer every year in the UK. During this time, there will also be in store brand presence and a 5p donation being made to Macmillan for purchases of selected toiletries.

About Macmillan Cancer Support:

Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by cancer, providing practical, medical, emotional and financial support.  Working alongside people affected by cancer, Macmillan works to improve cancer care. One in three people will get cancer. Two million people are living with it. Macmillan can help those affected by cancer.

For more information, including charity fundraising ideas, interested parties can visit www.macmillan.org.uk or freephone 0808 808 0000 for an information pack.  

PR Contact:
Andrea Shufflebotham
PR & Media Officer
Macmillan Cancer Support
89 Albert Embankment
London
SE1 7UQ
+44(0)20-7840-4689
www.macmillan.org.uk

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