See the press release below. Though it doesn't specifically mention them by name, David Prowse (Darth Vader) and Tom Baker (Dr. Who) will be participating in the fundraiser.



CELEB SUPPORT IS IN THE BAG FOR MANBAGCOMPANY’S UNIQUE FUNDRAISING INITIATIVE FOR THE PROSTATE CANCER CHARITY!
Comedian-turned-Hollywood-actor Ricky Gervais is among celebrities who have made their mark on a new fundraising initiative - designed to raise awareness of prostate cancer.

Leading online retailer manbagcompany.com threw down the gauntlet to some of the UK’s favourite celebs to let their imaginations run riot and customise one of its exclusive Messenger bags. The great and the good from the arenas of fashion, comedy, art, music and film stepped forward to add their personal touches to a Manbag - and raise money for The Prostate Cancer Charity into the bargain.

A host of contributors rose to the challenge and joined Ricky in supporting the initiative, including Coldplay, Depeche Mode, Alan Carr, Rio Ferdinand, Twiggy, Jade Jagger, Joe Corres, Spandau Ballet, Darth Vader, Bruce Oldfield, Jimmy Choo and many more.

The resulting collection of bags - from the comic to the cool - will now be auctioned on ebay on 24 June, with all of the proceeds going to the Charity.

Ricky Gervais explained his belief as to why so many celebrities have come forward to support the campaign:

"Prostate cancer touches the lives of 35,000 men and their families every year in the UK. I hope the auction of celebrity manbags will raise as much money as possible for The Prostate Cancer Charity.”

Manbagcompany.com has enjoyed great success since it launched its collection of top of the range men’s bags last year, so much so that it now wanted to give something back.

Says manbag founder Bain Ellisdon: “We are delighted to be raising funds for such a worthy cause as The Prostate Cancer Charity. We have received great feedback from those we have contacted so far; this initiative really seems to have brought out people’s creative as well as philanthropic side!”

John Neate, Chief Executive of The Prostate Cancer Charity, said: “This collaboration really seems to have struck people’s imaginations - and revealed some hidden artistic talent. The designs range from a glittery prostate by Jason Gardiner to a playful creation by Jimmy Choo. We would like to thank Bain and the rest of the Manbagcompany team for their support, as well as all of the celebrities who have taken the time to customise a bag. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK. I think this project will really help raise awareness of the disease across different age groups, as well as generate funds for the Charity.”



About Manbagcompany.com:
Manbagcompany.com was founded in 2008 by leading accessories designer Bain Ellisdon with the aim of creating a cohesive range of bags for men that are superbly practical yet ultimately covetable. Recently included in times online Top Ten Best Men’s Bags and now carried by many a stylish sportsman and celeb, manbags are handmade in Spain using the finest leathers and innovative fabrics. The collections offer a wide range of messenger bags, holdalls, wallets and accessories from the classic to the cutting edge.



About The Prostate Cancer Charity (www.prostate-cancer.org.uk):
The Prostate Cancer Charity was set up in 1996 in response to the urgent need to increase investment in prostate cancer research and to raise public and political awareness of a long neglected disease. It is now the UK’s leading voluntary organisation working with people affected by prostate cancer.

The Prostate Cancer Charity is striving for a world where lives are no longer limited by prostate cancer. The Charity is fighting prostate cancer on every front - through research, support, information and campaigning.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men in the UK. Every year in the UK, 35,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. One man dies every hour of prostate cancer in the UK.

African Caribbean men are three times more likely to develop prostate cancer than white men.