The charity is running a sports-themed awareness campaign this Autumn, to encourage men in particular to visit their GP if they are worried about symptoms. Click here to learn more about the campaign and how you can get involved.

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Sian Lloyd and Lee Mead win the 25th anniversary 'Rear of the Year' awards

ITV's glamorous national weather presenter Sian Lloyd and 'Joseph' star Lee Mead are the winners of this year's 'Rear of the Year' awards, presented today in London at The Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane.

This is the 25th anniversary of the annual awards which are presented in 2007 in support of the national charity Beating Bowel Cancer, helping to raise awareness of the UK's second biggest killer cancer.

Earlier this year Sian won the 2007 TV & Radio Industries Club award for 'Favourite Weather Presenter' for the second time [2005]. Now she joins a long list of celebrity 'Rear of the Year' winners including, among others, Charlotte Church, Denise van Outen, Natasha Hamilton, Claire Sweeney and fellow weather presenter Ulrika Jonsson. She's a keen skier and swimmer but regards walking as the best exercise for keeping in shape and has done quite a few 'charity treks'. Her well-toned rear impressed members of the Great British public who voted for her in large numbers on the official 'Rear of the Year' web site www.rearoftheyearcompetition.com.

The daughter of two teachers, Sian won a first class honours degree at Cardiff University and is proud of her Welsh background. She speaks Welsh and French and help to set up the Welsh networking club SWS [Social, Welsh & Sexy]. She said today; "I'm flattered to be voted 'Rear of the Year'. Not even I could have forecast the sizzling High Pressure that brought me this hot award."

Lee, who won BBC TV's 'Any Dream Will Do' search for a new 'Joseph', is an accomplished dancer, gymnast, and sportsman and regularly swims, cycles and rides. He said today; "I need stamina to perform on stage every night so it's important for me to stay in shape. I never dreamt those trips to the gym would produce such a surprising result. I'm absolutely delighted this crucial part of my anatomy is helping to raise awareness for such an important cause. Who would have guessed? I can finally say 'bottom of the class, and proud of it'. Thanks to all who voted for me."

Tara MacDowel, Head of Communications at Beating Bowel Cancer, said today; "The charity is thrilled to be partnering this year's competition. We, as a nation, still find it difficult and embarrassing to talk openly about bottoms - even more so to discuss a condition such as bowel cancer. But it is crucial to breakdown the taboos associated with the disease, which is why the collaboration with 'Rear of the Year' is such a fantastic opportunity for Beating Bowel Cancer. We hope that putting bottoms in the public spotlight in a light-hearted manner will help to open-up conversations about some very important issues, raising awareness to save lives."

Tony Edwards, organiser of the annual awards, said that rears were an important fashion indicator. "Right now the firm, well-toned, clearly defined rear is beginning to give way to a slightly more rounded shape but seems unlikely to revert back to the plumper, fuller silhouettes of the late 1950's, typified by Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell," he said today. "But it's clear that anyone who wants to maintain a stylish rear needs to embark on a bit of an exercise regime."

Selecting the 'Rear of the Year'

• Public nominations are received throughout the year via the official voting page on the Rear of the Year website.
• A year-round press cuttings monitoring services, spotlighting celebrity rears, assists in compiling the short list of candidates.
• The final decision on the choice of winners is made by the organisers.
• The winners must reside in the UK.

PR support for Rear of the Year was assisted by educational grants from Pfizer and Roche Products Ltd

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BE LOUD 2008 is the latest, greatest campaign from Beating Bowel Cancer, and will run from 28th January to 3rd February 2008.

The campaign encourages people to dig out their loudest, wackiest clothing, wear it during BE LOUD Week and raise money to help beat bowel cancer.

Click here to find out more about this year's campaign and how you can take part in the BE LOUD fun!.

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Your small change could make a big difference in helping us at the charity change things for the better for bowel cancer patients.

By ordering a free home collection box from Beating Bowel Cancer, simply collect your loose change and bank the money each time it fills up.

Once you have received your box you should place it in a strategic location at home or in the workplace – by the phone, where you keep your keys, on a kitchen work surface, anywhere you empty out your pockets or bags!- and you’ll be surprised how fast your small change can add up…to make a big difference.

Paying in the money

You can pay the loose change you save directly into our bank account:

Account name: Beating Bowel Cancer: “Change it”
Barclays Bank Sort code: 20 72 17
Account number: 80459399

These details are also printed on the collection box. When you pay your money into the bank, let us know by e-mail or letter (with a copy of your paying in slip if possible) and we’ll enter your name in the twice yearly Beating Bowel Cancer Prize Draw.

Order a collection box

To order your collection box for your home please click here. If your friends or relatives are as generous and concerned about bowel cancer as you are then ask them to contact us to receive their free box or click here.

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Health in the Workplace is a new service available from the charity, taking vital information about the disease direct to company employees in their place of work.

By prior arrangement with Beating Bowel Cancer, a representative from our charity can come to your organisation and give a short talk about bowel cancer to your employees.

Our presentation, including a short video, will take approximately 30 minutes and is designed to be easily fitted into the working day. The video, presented by ITV's 'This Morning' celebrity GP Dr Chris Steele, communicates the potentially life-saving facts about bowel cancer, including symptoms to look out for, and easy steps that people can take to help protect themselves against the disease. We will also provide your employees with an information card, outlining the key facts that are highlighted in the video.

We are pleased to be able to offer this service free of charge to companies, thanks to the Department of Health who have funded the campaign for 3 years.

If you are interested in Beating Bowel Cancer visiting your organisation (initially London and the South-East only), please contact info@beatingbowelcancer.org or call 020 8892 5256.

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