Whyte & Mackay have announced an exciting new partnership that will aim to raise awareness and funds for the Everyman male cancer campaign throughout the upcoming 2010 Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts season.

A range of themed t-shirts have been launched that will be sold at every leg of the tour that starts on Thursday, February 11 at The O2 arena in London and will visit 15 of the biggest arenas in the UK.

With the event selling out arenas usually reserved for the biggest bands in the music industry the top players in the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) have put their own spin on classic music album covers proving that darts really is the new Rock n’ Roll!

Underlining that he was ‘Born in the P.D.C.’ Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor has re-created the iconic Bruce Springsteen ‘Born in the USA’ album cover and the top 6 players selected for the tour have followed in Madness’ footsteps to simulate the iconic ‘One Step Beyond’ pose.

Darts fans are also encouraged to ‘Choose Darts’ rather than Wham’s ‘Choose Life’ whilst Raymond van Barneveld gives his interpretation of the popular 80’s Frankie Goes to Hollywood phrase with his very own ‘Barney Says Relax’ t-shirts.

Proceeds from t-shirt sales, which are also available via www.sevenstardarts.co.uk will go to the Everyman Campaign.

Fifteen-time World Champion and four-time Whyte & Mackay Premier League champion Phil Taylor said: "I lost my father to prostate cancer and hopefully this campaign can help to raise awareness of the work that  Everyman is doing.

"The t-shirts are fun but have a serious message behind them - that cancer is a major illness but one that can be battled and overcome if detected early, and also with the help and support of charities like Everyman.

"In darts, we've seen Dennis Priestley successfully battle against prostate cancer in the last couple of years and that has meant a lot to me. Dennis has been a great rival but most importantly he's one of my best friends, and seeing him recover has been incredible."

Phil McTeer, Head of Brands for Whyte & Mackay, said: “Whyte & Mackay are delighted to announce this partnership with Everyman for the upcoming Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts tour. We expect the t-shirts will be one of the hottest tour memorabilia items around this year as their sale not only raises awareness of the serious risk of cancer to the male population but it also provides funding to aid the important work done by our partners Everyman.”

Everyman spokesman Jon Street added: “Everyman is grateful for the support of the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts tour in what promises to be a really exciting partnership.

"You only have to look at the size of the arenas that the Premier League Darts players fill to appreciate the impact and influence they have on their fans. We hope that this influence will encourage men to buy a t-shirt and not only support their favourite player but also show their support for Everyman and help raise vital funds for research into prostate and testicular cancer.”

Date posted: February 4, 2010

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