Fast feet at 50 – Kwik Fit fitters dance to raise awareness of prostate cancer risk

Kwik Fit is marking its 50th birthday by encouraging people to don their overalls and dancing boots and do the famous ‘Kwik Fit fitter dance’, whilst helping to highlight the increased risk of prostate cancer to men aged over 50.

The UK’s largest automotive servicing and repair company opened its first centre in April 1971 and in its 50th year it is partnering with leading men’s health charity Prostate Cancer UK to raise funds and awareness of a disease which affects one in eight men in the UK.

To celebrate the half century, staff from across the country have been recreating the iconic “You Can’t Get Better Than a Kwik Fit Fitter” dance moves from some of the company’s most memorable TV adverts of the last 50 years. The company is now challenging members of the public to film their own versions of the dance and post them to social media with the aim of encouraging their male friends and family to check their risk of prostate cancer.

If prostate cancer is caught early, there’s a good chance it can be successfully treated, but unlike other cancers, prostate cancer often has no symptoms until it has advanced. To help men understand their risk of the disease and the next steps to take, Prostate Cancer UK and Kwik Fit are urging people to complete and share a 30-second risk checker. Those most at risk are men over 50, black men over 45, and men with a family history of prostate cancer.

Prize draw for video posters

To help encourage people to film and share their dances, Kwik Fit is offering a prize draw to win an iPad Pro plus Airpods Pro. Winners will be drawn from all those posting a video to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and tagging in #YCGBTAKFF and #MenWeAreWithYou.

Roger Griggs, communications director at Kwik Fit, says: “If Kwik Fit was a man, his fiftieth birthday this month would mark an important opportunity to start speaking to his GP about prostate cancer risk, which we know increases with age. Covid restrictions mean our teams can’t all get together to celebrate our 50th birthday, so instead we are marking this milestone in a lighthearted way to help spread a serious message.”

Nicola Tallett, director of fundraising and supporter engagement, at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “It’s fantastic to be teaming up with Kwik Fit during this landmark year and we’re so grateful for their commitment in helping raise awareness of the disease and funds for lifesaving research and support services.

“We want to stop prostate cancer killing men, and support men and their families who are affected, so it is vitally important that men and their loved ones are aware of the dangers of the disease, including the risk factors.

“If you’re a man over 50, who remembers the famous dancing mechanics from the Kwik Fit ads, perhaps when you were starting to drive, then your age may put you in an increased risk group. So this is a great way to not only reminisce but also encourage more men at higher risk of prostate cancer to have a conversation with their GP. The more people who do their own dance and share it, the more men we can reach.”

Kwik Fit has produced a step-by-step guide to the dance, which also includes a link to the Prostate Cancer UK risk checker.