8:42am Tuesday 3rd February 2009
By Emma Clayton
Most people have been touched by cancer in some way.
Losing a loved one to the disease often prompts us to raise funds to try and help other sufferers and their families. We might do a sponsored walk, or swim a few lengths of a pool to raise a bit of cash.
The Ribble Valley and White Rose Ladies have gone several stages further. Several members of the group have been affected by cancer – either through their own experience or that of family and friends – and over the past decade they have raised more than £500,000 for Cancer Research UK.
The staggering amount has been raised from various events, including lunches, fashion shows, even shopping expeditions.
The group’s latest event was a Mamma Mia ball, which raised £12,000 in just four hours.
Nearly 300 guests at the event, held recently at the Rendezvous Hotel in Skipton, heard moving stories of loss and survival from cancer, inspiring them to dig deep and support the charity which aims to make a difference to the lives of cancer sufferers and their families.
The fundraiser was aimed particularly at helping children with cancer. There were emotional speeches from young cancer survivor Sarah McPhee, Cancer Research UK’s Yorkshire Area fundraiser, and Sam Cannings, who lost his 15-year-old brother to cancer. Sam, the son of a member of the ladies group, told how the brother he described as his “hero” had died within just three weeks of being diagnosed with cancer.
Special guest Claire Young, who was runner-up on BBC1’s The Apprentice last year, said cancer was something that touched everyone’s lives in some way.
“Karen and the team running Ribble Valley and White Rose Ladies have done an amazing job,” said Claire, from Wakefield. “They’re all working women who find time to raise much-needed funds for Cancer Research UK and have showed that whatever the economic climate, anything is possible.”
The ball, featuring live music from an Abba tribute act, an auction and a raffle, was organised by Rendezvous proprietor Karen Weaving, a founder of the Ribble Valley and White Rose Ladies group.
“It was a very emotional night as we all had heartfelt reminders of what the evening was all about,” said Karen.
“It can be easy to forget the devastation that cancer causes as it’s natural for life to carry on around you, but at an event like this it’s important to remember those we have lost, and unite to ensure that fewer people are lost from and more people recover from cancer.
“As a family-run business, charitable events are very important to us,” she added. “With 22 years in the hotel industry, we have the right combination of experience, knowledge and passion to make the events successful.”
The Rendezvous Hotel is run by husband-and-wife team Karen and Malcolm Weaving, who took over the venue in 2004.
The next fundraiser is Skipton Rotary Club’s Valentine’s Ball next week, featuring live music from Huddersfield band Chequers and a four-course meal.
The Valentine’s Ball is at the Rendezvous Hotel, Skipton, on Saturday, February 14. For more information ring Jason or Amanda on (01756) 700100.
Factfile
Cancer Research UK works towards the enormous challenge of beating cancer. Among the success stories listed on the charity’s website is news that the number of cancer cases detected by the NHS Breast Screening Programme has doubled in the last ten years, according to new figures.
A report published by the NHS Information Centre shows that 14,100 cases of breast cancer were detected in 2007/08, up from 6,914 cases in 1997/98.
For more about Cancer Research UK ring (0207) 1216699 or visit the website cancerresearchuk.org
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