TV's Samia joins the fight against cancer (From Warrington Guardian)

TV's Samia joins the fight against cancer

CORONATION Street actress Samia Ghadie is joining forces with a Winsford-based charity to help the battle against prostate cancer.

Samia, pictured inset, who plays Street hairdresser Maria Sutherland, will be at Oulton Park Racing Circuit this Saturday, June 26, with members of the Leighton Hospital Prostate Cancer Support Group.

The celebrity will unveil the group's latest weapon in the fight to raise awareness of prostate cancer among men - the charity has sponsored a race-tuned MG, which will compete at meetings across the country.

Support group chairman Gary Steele, of Cherry Crescent, said it was the first time in the UK that a charity had sponsored a racing car to promote a health message.

He added: "Motor racing is predominantly a male preserve so we thought we'd take the message to them.

"Prostate cancer is a man's disease and can be treated if detected in its early stages. Unfortunately half the men who get prostate cancer are still dying, because they were too embarrassed to have a medical check up.

"We asked Samia to help us spread the word because it also illustrates the fact that women are the real driving force in our charity. We rely on our wives and girlfriends to really make things happen."

Oulton Park has nominated Leighton Hospital's Prostate Cancer Support Group as its chosen charity, and the car carries the message 'Don't Lose The Most Important Race Of Your Life', as well as the logo of the Winsford group's parent group - the Prostate Support Association - to encourage men to think more about their health.

Organisers say Samia will be at the circuit between noon and 1.30pm and there will be a jazz band, as well as other fun family activities at the track.

rfraser@guardiangrp.co.uk