After supporting the British Heart Foundation last term and raising thousands for the nation’s heart charity, Prostate Cancer UK will be supported by the Ryman League and the individual efforts of all 72 clubs over the 2016-17 campaign.

The Ryman League now chooses a new charity partner every year and to kick off the partnership, the men’s health charity will receive the proceeds from the annual curtain-raiser after the 2015-16 champions and Alan Turvey Trophy winners meet in a 7.45pm kick-off at the Beveree Stadium.

Geoff Douglass, a member of Prostate Cancer UK’s Men United Hall of Fame for his nationwide fundraising work, and Mike Summers, the charity’s football partnerships project manager and former CEO at England Athletics, are set to be introduced to the big crowd expected at the home of the Beavers and scene of their title triumph back in April.

A bucket collection among fans by the charity’s volunteers is also planned as the first of many events Prostate Cancer UK hopes to stage over the season and Summers thanked the Ryman’s fans, players and officials in advance for their efforts.

He said: “We are delighted that we are the official charity partner of the Ryman League. Currently one man an hour dies from prostate cancer in the UK. That’s 10,900 men a year. Based on current trends, if we ignore prostate cancer and do nothing, this number will rise to over 14,500 men a year by 2026.

“So the partnership is a great opportunity to be able to raise awareness of prostate cancer within Non-League football clubs and we are very grateful for the support of those in the Ryman League.”

Ryman League chairman Nick Robinson is backing fans, players and officials to burnish their reputation for fundraising and helping good causes after Prostate Cancer UK was chosen as the official charity for the 2016-17 season.

He said: "Prostate Cancer UK continues to do incredibly important work in support of men's health and I know that everyone connected with the Ryman League will be proud to support the charity. Our clubs have consistently shown fantastic support for numerous charities and good causes in their communities over many years and I'm sure many will already be thinking of great fundraising ideas and events to stage in support of our new partners at Prostate Cancer UK."

The Ryman League’s clubs won’t have to wait long to get their first chance to back their new charity partner as Prostate Cancer UK is also the official charity once again of Non-League Day, taking place this season on Saturday 3 September.

For more information on Prostate Cancer UK visit: prostatecanceruk.org.

For more information on NLD 2016 visit: www.nonleagueday.co.uk.