A fund-raising group from the Safe Harbour public house in Birmingham, including Celsium's Shelley Lloyd, has raised £5,052.71 for a local charity that supports women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Jackie and Scott Wainman
Jackie Wainman (pictured) was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and wanted to show her support and appreciation to Breast Friends for their kindness and support whilst receiving treatment in Sutton Coldfield.
Jackie and her husband, Scott, commented that they couldn't have raised this money without the love and support of their friends and family - their heroes - but Jackie is the real hero for going through this and raising much needed funds and awareness for Breast Friends and breast cancer.
Breast Friends is a support group based at Good Hope Hospital in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands. It is run by unpaid volunteers who have all been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Their aim is to help local women with breast cancer through a difficult time by offering friendship, support, emotional and practical help, from the time of initial diagnosis, throughout treatment and beyond.
They also aim to raise awareness of breast cancer so that local people will seek diagnosis and treatment at the earliest possible stage.
Having breast cancer need not be lonely
Members meet at 7.30pm on the last Monday evening of the month (with the exception of January, May, August and December) at Good Hope Hospital, where topics range from medical information, given by health professionals, and lighter subjects such as beauty, fashion, health and fitness. New members are very welcome to come to any of the meetings and are also invited to bring along a relative or friend if they wish.
Safe Harbour raised over £5,000
For those living in the Tamworth area there is a separate subgroup, the Pink Peonies, which meets at the Sacred Heart RC Church Centre, Glascote, on the first Monday of each month (excluding Bank Holidays). They have contact with a "Lovely Ladies" Group for younger women in Sutton Coldfield – contact Breast Friends 0121 378 3037 for more details.
There is also the Lotus group, which offers information and support to patients who have been told that their cancer has returned. This group meets on the first Thursday of each month from 2.30pm-4.30pm at the St Giles Centre, Lindridge Road, Sutton Coldfield, B75 6JB.