
Charity boss runs Hadrian's Wall in scrotum suit to highlight testicular cancer
The founder and chief executive of The Robin Cancer Trust ran more than a marathon a day to back the charity's Big Ballsy Challenge to raise funds and awareness of testicular cancer.
Mr Freeman's brother Robin died aged just 24 in 2011 after he developed germ cell cancer which affects the testicles or the ovaries.
After his feat of endurance which saw him startle livestock and get his testicle suit snagged on thorns, Mr Freeman said: 'It was the hardest and most enjoyable thing I've ever done.
'Physically, it pushed me to the limit.
'But mentally, it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
'In the darkest moments, I thought of my brother Rob, and every single man out there facing testicular cancer, and that's what kept me going.'
To donate to The Robin Cancer Trust or get involved in the Big Ballsy Challenge visit www.therobincancertrust.org/bigballsychallenge

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The Herald Scotland
16-07-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Freddie Freeman expecting emotional All-Star Game in Atlanta return
Freeman has received ovations every time he has returned to Atlanta, even while wearing a Los Angeles Dodgers uniform, but Tuesday night will be like nothing he ever felt before. Freeman's departure was tumultuous, with contract negotiations that broke down and ultimately led him to the Dodgers, but for a couple of days, one of Atlanta's favorite sons is back at home where he spent the first 12 years of his career. Freeman is expected to be showered with adulation the moment he's introduced with the others in the National League starting lineup, with the sellout crowd at Truist Park giving him a standing ovation that could linger for awhile. Freeman is already anticipating the emotions that could leave him a bubbling mess. "I think everyone who knows me," Freeman says, "know I usually get emotional during these kind of things. Coming back here, it's always very special to me. "So, whatever emotions I feel, they usually come out, and I'm not afraid to show my emotions." This is Freeman's ninth All-Star appearance, but this one will mean more than any other, playing in the ballpark that he and his Atlanta teammates helped build. Freeman was even part of the groundbreaking ceremony wearing a hard hat and holding a shovel, with pictures placed in a Truist Park time capsule. "When they announced it was coming here a year or two ago," Freeman said, "I think we kind of circled that I need to play well in 2025 to get here. I'm excited. It's always great coming back here. "When you spend so much time like I did here in Atlanta, it's special." The first time Freeman returned in 2022 after signing a six-year, $162 million contract with the Dodgers, he sat down in the interview room, looked at the familiar faces and TV cameras around him, and broke down. He walked out, composed himself and returned, speaking of his painful departure. "I think every time I come back, I try and portray what Atlanta means to me," Freeman says. "It's so special. I spent a lot of wonderful years here, winning a championship, so to play in front of these fans again, I can't wait to be back.'' It all began to hit him again on Monday when he walked into the National League All-Stars' clubhouse, looked at his old locker, now occupied by Atlanta first baseman Matt Olson, and then saw Snitker. Snitker was Atlanta's third base coach when Freeman broke into the major leagues in 2010. Snitker returned to the minors, was invited to Freeman's wedding, became Atlanta's manager in 2016, and the two remain best of friends. "To see him take over and see all of the success he's had over the last seven, eight years, it's special," Freeman says. "He means so much to me and my family. We still talk in the offseason and throughout the year, but now I get to hang out with him." Perhaps for the last time. Snitker is expected to retire after the season, and Freeman -- who turns 36 in September -- could be following in a few years. "I was so looking forward to being in that same clubhouse with him again," Snitker says. "It was pretty cool to be in that clubhouse and be reunited. He has meant so much to me, and this entire organization. "I mean, when we were going through that rebuild, he was right there, front and center there, leading by example, and never griping about anything or what we were doing. He saw where we were and that the end result was going to be good. He had that huge impact on everybody he played with, and he's still doing it today. "I guarantee you this is going to be emotional, and very special for him." Atlanta lost at least 90 games three consecutive years from 2015-2017, but then won six consecutive division titles, including the 2021 World Series with Freeman leading the way. It wasn't just his performance on the field, but his clubhouse leadership, holding teammates accountable. He stressed the importance of playing every day, playing at least 157 games in eight seasons, including every game three different years. "He set the ultimate example, a Hall of Fame player that led us in all kinds of ways," Atlanta GM Alex Anthopoulos says. "He played the game the right way, played hurt, and was the ultimate teammate. I mean, when he came off the injured list in 2017, and saw that Matt Adams was playing well at first base, he volunteered to play third base. He did it for (16) games, just to make sure that Adams could stay in the lineup. "How can you not root for a guy like that?" Freeman's teammates, including the coaching staff and manager Dave Roberts, will tell you that Freeman has been looking forward to this day since November 2023, when Major League Baseball announced that Atlanta would host the game. It could bring closure to any open wounds that remain from his departure, with the hometown fans cheering him one last time, while on the same team as their favorite Atlanta players. "Obviously, he loved being an Atlanta Brave," Dodgers All-Star catcher Will Smith says. "Fortunately for us, we got to bring him over, but you know how much it means to him every time we come back to Atlanta." Says Roberts: "I know once they announced that [the All-Star game] was going to be held here, it was marked on his calendar. His goal was to get back here and get in front of the Braves' faithful that cheered him on for 11, 12 years, So he's back sleeping in his own bed, back in his old clubhouse, and he's excited.'' Well, so is the entire Freeman family, with about 20 family members expected to be in attendance for the All-Star Game, knowing this will be a moment they will forever cherish. "You never know when you're going to make an All Star game, or whether it will be your last one," Freeman says. "We're going to look around, see all of the wonderful things that I experienced on this field, our whole family experienced, and savor it all." The cheers will come, and the tears will follow. "I know it's going to be emotional,'' Freeman says, "and, well, you know me. I'm not going to hold back.'' Follow Bob Nightengale on X @Bnightengale.


Daily Mirror
18-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Betfred slot game winner pockets £11.5million - and has a heartwarming plan
Arron Freeman, 44, bagged a £11.5million jackpot and received the biggest payout in Betfred's 58-year-history after playing an online slot game with a stake of just £1.50 A scaffolder has been unmasked as the winner of a record-breaking £11.5m jackpot on an online slot game. Dad-of-two Arron Freeman, 44, is said to have scooped the prize money after putting a £1.50 stake on Betfred's online slot game Mega Moolah. The life-changing win, which occurred on Thursday June 5, is the biggest payout in the company's 58-year history. Despite becoming a multi-millionaire, Mr Freeman, who runs ASL Scaffolding, says he wants to sell his story so he can build a homeless shelter. In a press statement released after the win - in which Mr Freeman was not named - it emerged the winner opened an account after a family night out and decided to give the online casino a go. It was then he turned a £1.50 spin into £11,498,211.89 on the Mega Moolah progressive jackpot game. Betfred founder Fred Done called him to offer his congratulations and invited him to Old Trafford as his guest. Betfred's newest multi-millionaire was quoted as saying: 'It's still sinking in, but it was class of Fred to phone me. He told me to look after my cash and that is my plan. I'm looking forward to meeting Fred at a Manchester United home game. Hopefully, we will both celebrate if the reds win." He added: 'I've been a horse racing punter my whole life and hit the crossbar a few times with some of my accas but obviously never hit the jackpot like this. It was the missus' idea that we gave the casino a go and we certainly got lucky. I love racing so I will still have a bet on the horses, but it will still be my normal small stakes.' Mr Freeman is in a relationship with Kelly Dighton, who runs a TikTok page, @ where she shares daily updates on her progress as a recovering addict. She says she is more than 100 days clean. Mr Freeman shared a post on Facebook in April expressing support for his partner. He shared one of her posts, commenting: "What can I say apart from I'm so proud of you, my beautiful woman! You're getting stronger by the day, which is making me stronger by the day! Please share this and make people aware." Speaking to the Eastern Daily Press, Mr Freeman said: "I am in shock, but I am not gonna say too much at the minute. Basically, I am going to sell my story to the highest bidder. The money the highest bidder gives me is going to be put towards building a homeless shelter, so it's going to go to a good cause." Ms Dighton's parents run the Lake Lothing Public House on Rotterdam Road in Lowestoft, Suffolk. Man United fan Mr Freeman is understood to have been living between there and his father's house in Mulbarton, Norfolk. A friend, who wished to remain anonymous, reportedly said: 'Aaron is still in shock, and it hasn't really set in. Of course, it is a life-changing amount of money, so it's something I think he is coming to terms with. He is a father, and I think he's still trying to get his head around it. I think he and his partner are off on holiday and are going to take some time to decide their options." 'He's a sensible chap and is planning to invest some of his winnings into property for his family,' said Betfred founder Mr Done. 'But not before enjoying a holiday of a lifetime." Mr Done also advised the jackpot winner to never gamble again. The record-breaking payout is more than double of the previous biggest win at Betfred, when in 2023 Michael Clark from Newcastle scooped £5.4m. Mega Moolah is a safari-themed jackpot slot that has five reels and 25 paylines. The minimum bet is 25p per spin. With doubling wild wins and a Free Spins feature with a trebling multiplier, it's all about the Progressive Jackpot Bonus Game where you spin to wheel to guarantee 1 of 4 progressive jackpots.


The Independent
17-06-2025
- The Independent
Charity boss runs Hadrian's Wall in scrotum suit to highlight testicular cancer
A charity boss has run the length of Hadrian's Wall dressed as a pair of testicles to raise awareness about the cancer which killed his brother. Toby Freeman, from Colchester, ran 90 miles from Bowness-on-Solway in Cumbria to North Shields, North Tyneside over just three days while wearing a large pink costume. The founder and chief executive of The Robin Cancer Trust ran more than a marathon a day to back the charity's Big Ballsy Challenge to raise funds and awareness of testicular cancer. Mr Freeman's brother Robin died aged just 24 in 2011 after he developed germ cell cancer which affects the testicles or the ovaries. After his feat of endurance which saw him startle livestock and get his testicle suit snagged on thorns, Mr Freeman said: 'It was the hardest and most enjoyable thing I've ever done. 'Physically, it pushed me to the limit. 'But mentally, it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. 'In the darkest moments, I thought of my brother Rob, and every single man out there facing testicular cancer, and that's what kept me going.' To donate to The Robin Cancer Trust or get involved in the Big Ballsy Challenge visit