Patrons Archive - It's in the Bag

Af Marseh

Hi, I’m Af Marseh and the author of Tumorous Hesticles: Just Say Cancer.

I’m delighted to join the IITB team and become a patron. I am a testicular cancer survivor who was diagnosed in 2016, whilst working in Brazil. I am based in Weymouth, Dorset and love the work that IITB do locally to support other men and their families going through the most traumatic time.

If I can offer advice or support to any people going through a similar journey then I am always happy to. I believe in a community approach to making this challenge easier and I feel that IITB do that in a brilliant way.

Away from Testicular Cancer, I love sports and adventure. My football team is Southampton, and I’ve worked in boxing for 15 years. I’ve run a few marathons, climbed the 3 peaks challenge and cycled London to Paris. If you love challenges too, then let’s talk!

Jonathan Dixon

Hey, I’m Jon, an illustrator known as Dixon Does Doodles. I’m a doodler of dinosaurs, monsters, zombies and everything in between.

I came to know about It’s in the Bag while having treatment for testicular cancer so they are a charity very close to my heart/pants!

While in the waiting room awaiting results, I really didn’t want to talk to anyone but a IITB volunteer was sitting close by and he started chatting about something in the paper and the wait for my name to be called out was a lot less painful and way more enjoyable.

A great charity, raising awareness, helping people through it and being bloody lovely about it.

You can see my doodles at www.dixondoesdoodles.com

Nutty Noah

It’s in the Bag is so excited to announce new Patron Nutty Noah who is a family and children’s entertainer, and singer-songwriter, based in Somerset, England. In 2011, Nutty Noah was banned from appearing on Britain’s Got Talent because his juggling balls were too big, exactly the type of guy It’s in the bag welcomes to the team! In February 2018, Nutty Noah won UK Family Entertainer of the Year.

Noah says:

‘My life is complete, working as an entertainer known locally as Nutty Noah, this is the perfect marriage! If I can raise awareness to help one person then it would be well worth it, thank you for having me’.

Welcome to the Team Noah and Thank you.

Claire Freedman

Claire Freedman has been writing picture books for children for over 20 years and has over 100 children’s books published. She is probably best known for the award winning Aliens Love Underpants series of books. Claire enjoys visiting schools (either in person or virtually) and has a passion for encouraging children to fall in love with books and reading. She lives with her husband in Essex.

‘I first became involved with It’s In The Bag when asked to sign and send some of my books to distribute to small children whose father’s were going through Testicular Cancer. I thought it was a lovely idea for the children, and I hope to be able to raise some more awareness of Testicular Cancer and the important work that It’s in the Bag do. I’m honoured to become a patron.’

Ali Vowles

Ali Vowles has been broadcasting for the BBC in the west for over 25 years and is a familiar voice and face on your radio and TV. Over the years she has covered everything from murders and scandals to skating ducks and all those magic moments! She has lived in Bath for almost 30 years and hails from Gloucestershire, where she grew up on a farm.

Ali says “I am delighted to be IITB’s first lady patron – what an honour! Over the years I have interviewed so many men who said they were in denial about their health and wouldn’t talk about it – until they finally got ill and it was almost too late. Without exception, it’s always the women in their lives who have made them realise that they can’t put their head in the sands – especially when it comes to something like testicular cancer. So for the record, I am very happy to be the charity’s official nag on the subject!

Downsy

Ian Downs is a TV, radio and live events presenter and has worked for JACK fm, Star Radio, The Breeze, Red Dragon FM, Pirate FM, Sam FM and most recently Hits and Greatest Hits Radio across Bristol, The South West and South Wales.

‘Downsy’ as he is best known, is also the matchday presenter for both Bristol City Football Club and Bristol Bears rugby, hosting in the stadium and across their live stream TV platforms and social media. He also presents the Behind The Headlines podcast for Bristol 24/7 and is the face of their Instagram updates.

Behind the camera Ian can also be found in the gallery at ITV West Country as part of the team who produce the regional ITV news programmes.

Downsy lives in Portishead with his 2 faithful companions Brooklyn and Bradley who he rescued as puppies. He is a history geek with a love of all things Isambard Kingdom Brunel as well as being an F1 fanatic and massive foody.

“Once I’d seen the work that the charity does and the difference it makes, I knew I had to become involved. That, and of course they have some fantastic merchandise and anyone that knows me, knows I love the stash!”

You can follow Downsy on Twitter and Instagram – @downsyofficial