Julie shares why she’s raising money for Breast Cancer Now and what it would mean to her to win at the Amazing Women Awards, hosted by Woman and Home Magazine.
This year, The Hotter Community Awards, part of the Amazing Women Awards, hosted by Woman and Home Magazine, celebrates women all around the UK who have raised money and awareness for important causes. Julie was nominated for the “Going the Extra Mile” award in recognition of her amazing contribution to Breast Cancer Now. Here she shares why she’s raising money for Breast Cancer Now and what it would mean to her to win the award:
It started back in 1995
Louise, my sister-in-law, asked me to become a £1,000 Challenger (where you raise £1,000 for the charity in return for having your name displayed in the Research Centre) after she was diagnosed with breast cancer, back in 1995. Along with my friends and family we organised a charity ball and raised £7,000, which is where I thought my charity work would end. Sadly, Louise died just a few months after the ball and I treasure the letter she sent asking me to continue fundraising for the sake of our daughters. Her words are my mantra, “Research is the only way forward.” That’s why I support Breast Cancer Now, as it holds the key to a better future.
I wanted to honour Louise’s memory and so our Sutton Coldfield West Midlands group was formed, bringing together some amazing women with different strengths and skills to organise another charity ball. As our confidence grew we began organising all sorts of events such as pink walks in the park, lunches, afternoon teas, swap and share clothes parties and annual golf days which have now run for 20 years.
A Las Vegas themed ball raised £32,000 in one night
One year we had a ball with a Las Vegas theme and a casino, ‘Elvis’ and the most amazing staging and dancers. Along with a raffle and auction we gift-wrapped and displayed 100 tombola prizes which everyone loved; it looked amazing and was so much fun and we raised an incredible £32,000 that night.
Overcoming challenges
The first ever golf day I organised coincided with torrential rain for days before, so when we arrived at the golf club they had closed the course. With 80 golfers en-route I was panic-stricken. Fortunately, we found a nearby municipal course which was more than happy to accommodate us and all the golfers took it in good spirit as we ferried them to and fro. They all stayed for the evening meal and prize-giving, so we still raised £5,000.
The most important thing is to work together as a team.
In a group, everyone has something to offer – cake making, account keeping, artwork, selling tickets, finding raffle prizes, photography, giving speeches – so it’s good to find out what each person is good at and confident with, then organise your events around their skills. We make our group meetings an opportunity to socialise too. We’ve become good friends and supported each other through all our ups and downs.
‘I would love to think that some of the £1million we’ve raised helps research into secondary breast cancer.’
Three of my sisters-in-law have died from breast cancer and everyone in our group has lost loved ones to this dreadful disease. To think that we have contributed towards a future when no one will die from breast cancer is a truly wonderful legacy and one we are all proud to have been a part of.
I am just thrilled to have been nominated for the Amazing Women Award as this recognises what a difference volunteers can make for charity.
I would love to win so we can get a full-page editorial in Woman and Home magazine and this might encourage others to get together with friends, do something they enjoy and raise vital money for Breast Cancer Now.
The vote has now closed for the Woman and Home Awards 2019.