I WOULD like to let your readers know about a new charity initiative called the Veg Pledge.

All you need to do is give up meat and fish for a week and donate what you would have spent to support the Beating Bowel Cancer charity.

It is a great way to encourage people to look at their diet and spending habits and raise funds to help those affected by bowel cancer at the same time.

Learning to live without meat occasionally could also be good for your health as there is strong evidence to suggest that eating too much red and processed meat is one factor that can increase the risk of developing the disease.

Bowel cancer is the UK’s second biggest cancer killer.

There are a number of factors known to increase your chances of being diagnosed with the disease.

Some you can’t change, such as your age and family history.

However you can reduce your risk by cutting down on red meat and processed food, exercising, quitting smoking and reducing your alcohol intake.

To sign up for the Veg Pledge visit beatingbowelcancer.org.

Charlotte Dawson

Head of nursing

Beating Bowel Cancer