A GROUP of “breast friends” who arranged a charity day in Prestatyn have raised in excess of £8,000 for the North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre at Glan Clwyd Hospital, Bodelwyddan
Sally Smart, secretary of the Prestatyn Business Forum, wanted to support the unit after the “phenomenal” treatment she has received there since she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
She was helped by a number of Prestatyn women who also have breast cancer, many of whom became friends with each other while also underground treatment at Glan Clwyd.
A coffee afternoon at The Hideaway, on Prestatyn High Street on Sunday October 9, followed by “Congo Bongo Boogie Bingo” at the same venue, took their total funds raised past the £8,000 mark.
The event, which was named “F**k Cancer”, also featured an auction, which included two of their friends being sold for £300 and £50 each.
Tina Jones MBE, mayor of Prestatyn, also opened the event.
Sally said: “It was incredible; a lot better than I thought it was going to be.
“We had loads of people bringing in cakes, D’Lish did all of the teas and coffees, and we had a really good, steady stream of people coming in all day, and people coming in to buy raffle tickets.
“In the evening, we had Congo Bongo Boogie Bingo, which sold out as soon as we announced, and which was absolutely hilarious.
“I suggested to my friend, Hayley (from The Hideaway), that she maybe auctioned off our friend, David, who went for £300, which was unbelievable!
“And our friend, Antonia, went as well for £50 – she was two hours, and he was eight hours – we’re not really sure what for; at one point, he actually bid on himself!
“The raffle raised £1,900, which was incredible. There was lots of happiness, and lots of tears.”
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‘Breast friends’ organise Prestatyn fundraiser for Glan Clwyd Hospital’s cancer unit
The event also featured cakes from Sugar Bee Bake Shop, and live music from Andy Fogg, while a great number of Prestatyn business donated raffle prizes.
In total, five of the six “breast friends” attended the event, and also gave them the opportunity to talk about their experiences and ring a bell to mark completing the next stage of their treatments.
Sally, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the start of the year, has completed her course of chemotherapy, but is still having targeted therapy at Glan Clwyd every three weeks.
Her partner, Iwan Roberts, also climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, which raised £1,600 for the cause.
Sally added: “We all went and rang the bell, and say thank-yous, which was really emotional.
“I’ve finished my treatment course, and the five of us who were there on Sunday (Sally, Melanie, Lynne, Christine and Tracey) met while on the cancer unit.
“It looks like the total is going to be £8,226. I was hoping Iwan might get £1,000 and we might raise £2,000, but £8,226 is absolutely phenomenal.
“The £1,900 from bidding on the night was just immense, it’s been mind-blowing. I can’t believe it.”
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