accurascale Aims To Raise £10,000 for Prostate Cancer UK Through Exclusive Class 66 Model
Accurascale today announces their latest ‘Accurascale Exclusive’ model, one that the model railway manufacturer will produce to raise £10,000 for a very worthy cause; Prostate Cancer UK.
A special edition model of Class 66 no 66769 in the GBRf “Prostate Cancer UK” livery has been launched at the Accurascale ‘take-over’ of Pete Waterman’s “Making Tracks 3” event at Chester Cathedral with a fully working pre-production sample in operation on the layout.
The real 66769 arrived as part of the penultimate delivery of class 66s. Now being delivered from EMD’s Muncie plant in Indiana, it was unloaded from its transatlantic crossing at Newport in early December 2014. Originally an anonymous member of the class 66 family, albeit with the late configuration of parts that show it originated from the US plant over its Canadian cousins, it set to work for GBRf with little fuss. In 2021 GBRf ran its annual Charity railtour and 769 was selected to wear a special livery and be an integral part of the tour.
The locomotive was unveiled in its special black livery in connection with Prostate Cancer UK during August before becoming the flagship for the September tour. Unusually it was dual named, in recognition of GBRF contracts manager, Paul Taylor, who was battling prostate cancer, and also the League Managers Association. The GBRF 2021 tour raised over £147,000 for Prostate Cancer UK. Sadly Paul Taylor lost his battle in 2022 and this locomotive serves a fitting tribute to him and continues to raise awareness of this very important cause. 66769 has settled back into squadron service with other members of the GBRf class 66 family and can be seen working all manner of trains across the length and breadth of the country, proudly still wearing its charity livery.
While the livery adorning 66769 is certainly attractive and distinctive, it also carries a very important message in both prototype and model form. One in eight men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime, with men over 50 being at increased risk of suffering from the disease. Accurascale felt it that 66769 was an essential locomotive to add to their Class 66 release programme, not only to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK, but to raise awareness of this illness among their largest customer base.
66769 marks the beginning of a new initiative for Accurascale, with certain exclusive models raising awareness and much needed funds for special causes other than railway preservation (which will continue to benefit from Accurascale in the future.)
Discussing the model, Accurascale PR and Marketing Director Fran Burke stated; “We are absolutely delighted to work with Prostate Cancer UK and help raise £10,000 for this fantastic cause. Not only does 66769 look spectacular in both prototype and model form, but it carries a most important message that raises awareness for this cause. As we see from model railway exhibitions we attend and indeed our own customer base, a significant portion of people in this hobby are males over 50, so hopefully this model can be enjoyed, but also help to raise awareness about getting checked out. It is also a cause that means a lot to many of us on the Accurascale team, having seen loved ones suffer and indeed be lost to this dreadful illness. We sincerely thank Prostate Cancer UK, The LMA and of course GBRf for working with us on this model.”
Prostate Cancer UK spokesperson Jake Maloney-Cox stated: "We are thrilled to see the Man of Men logo featured on the brand new Accurascale Class 66 model. We are especially proud to see that the live saving journey started by GB Railfreight and Paul Taylor with their incredible railtour continues to this day.
Every 45 minutes one man dies from prostate cancer in the UK, and it is the most common cancer in men. We are incredibly grateful to Accurascale who will support our lifesaving work, raising funds for vital research into better tests and treatments, and also sparking life-saving conversations about prostate cancer”
This limited edition model is now available for pre-order via the Accurascale website and will come in special presentation packaging and containing literature concerning prostate cancer and the services of Prostate Cancer UK. Delivery will be with the rest of the announced Class 66 first run models in Q1 2024. Priced at £169.99 for DC/DCC ready and £259.99 for DCC sound fitted, with no money down pre-ordering available, as well as flexible monthly payments over 6 months via partially, proceeds of the model will be donated to Prostate Cancer UK with the aim of raising £10,000 for this worthy cause.
Pre-order your Class 66 and help in the battle against Prostate Cancer today by clicking below.