Castle sleep over to promote cancer awareness

Those taking part will sleep in the grounds of Peel Castle without tents

Dozens of people are set to sleep over in the grounds of a 1,000-year-old castle to raise awareness of breast cancer.

About 55 people will take on the challenge of sleeping at Peel Castle on Saturday, without tents, for Breast Cancer Now's Isle of Man branch.

The charity said raising awareness was important as 55,000 women and 400 men were diagnosed with the disease every year in the UK.

Volunteer Sandy Denning said the event would let people know more about the disease and raise funds for "vital" research.

She said more people were "surviving breast cancer thanks to the innovative treatments that are now available", despite the statistics on diagnoses.

Breast Cancer Now is currently funding about 80 research projects to continue to discover new treatments, to determine how to prevent breast cancer, save lives and to help people live well with and beyond the disease, Ms Denning said.

Those sleeping out would "enjoy a chippy tea before being entertained" by a live band, with support throughout the night delivered by members of the Civil Defence who would "ensure everyone is safe and comfortable", she added.

The event, at the Manx National Heritage site, follows another sleep over at the summit of Snaefell in 2022.