A COUNCILLOR and former logistics manager from Oxfordshire are spreading awareness of prostate cancer by dressing in drag.

Mike Breakell and Malcolm Potter are two of ten men picked to take part in the first Great Drag Race. They are being followed by a film crew while they prepare for the 10.2km race in London Fields, in Hackney, on Saturday, with the aim of persuading 1,000 more men to don a dress and join the fundraiser.

Mr Breakell, who is a West Oxfordshire district councillor, became involved in the event after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer five years ago. He has had an operation to remove the cancer, along with radiography treatments, and still has regular check-ups.

The widowed father-of-one said: “We all know that blokes don’t talk about these things. Women are so good — the breast cancer campaign is so organised, you get 15,000 women running around Hyde Park for it — but blokes don’t do that sort of thing. That’s the problem – if you don’t talk about it, you risk becoming a bit isolated. It can lead to all sorts of difficulties.”

Oxford Brookes teacher Mr Breakell, 69, of Finstock, has used events with Charlbury Morris Men, who he is a member of, to publicise the awareness drive, and has also spoken to thousands of men at Millwall Football Stadium.

Former logistics manager Mr Potter, 62, of Clarkes Court, Banbury, will be joining Mr Breakell for the Great Drag Race.

The grandfather was diagnosed with prostate cancer in October 2009.

He underwent a radical operation at the Churchill Hospital for the complete removal of the prostate in January.

The idea for men to dress in drag for the race came about from the idea of ‘dragging’ the issue of prostate cancer into the forefront of people’s minds.

Sponsorship money will go to Prostate Cancer Research Foundation and the Prostate Cancer Support Federation.

For more information, visit thegreatdragrace.org