Dole Fresh UK is urging companies in the fruit sector to go Fruity Friday and raise money for the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF).

Dole Fresh UK, the first headline sponsor of WCRF’s Fruity Friday campaign, wants fruit companies and distributors to help make it a big success.

The fundraising and awareness campaign takes place throughout the UK on 14 May. It aims to encourage people to incorporate more fruit and vegetables into their diet, as well as increase public awareness about the link between diet, exercise and cancer prevention.

Giles Shapley, marketing director at Dole Fresh UK, is writing a letter to supermarkets and other fruit distributors urging them to get involved in the campaign.

Fundraisers at WCRF are also calling for companies to hold events such as a ‘Go Bananas by dressing down in yellow day!’ to help raise funds for the charity.

Fruit companies and stockists are also encouraged to organise other events for the campaign - such as making and selling smoothies, virgin fruit cocktails or fruity cakes, flapjacks and raisin scones - with a percentage of the proceeds going to WCRF.

Teresa Nightingale, general manager at WCRF, said: "Fruity Friday is a really fun way to get the simple health message out there that eating a diet high in fruit and vegetables can help to reduce our risk of cancer.

“Putting on a fun day like Fruity Friday is a great way for retailers to boost sales of fruits and vegetables by promoting to their customers that a healthy diet with at least five portions a day could decrease their risk of cancer.

"We have lots of materials in our downloadable fundraising pack, from collection boxes to posters, to help make your Fruity Friday a big success.”

Organisers can order yellow items such as wigs and banana costumes from the fruity shop at www.fruityfriday.org

Shapley added: “Our business, a leading UK and International fruit company, is delighted to be sponsoring such an exciting campaign.

“We want to see as many people as possible supporting cancer prevention through Fruity Friday, so encourage you all to sign-up and do your bit at www.fruityfriday.org.”

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