big girl pants raises over £20,000 for UHNM Charity Breast Care Centre

Our Breast Cancer fundraiser, Big Girl Pants, has exceeded its ambitious £20,000 fundraising target two months early, with our recent charitable ball contributing a significant £13,710 to the grand total to date.

Together, we worked to raise much-needed awareness and funds for the NHS University Hospitals of the North Midlands (UHNM) Charity Breast Care Centre in Stoke and Stafford. Our sold-out event, held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Stoke-on-Trent, brought together businesses, suppliers, and friends united in their support for our cause. Throughout our evening, guests participated in an exclusive auction, silent auction, and raffle, alongside indulging in a three-course dinner. Entertainment was also provided by the highly-established 9-piece house music band and DJ, The Manytones, while being serenaded by Jessica Clewlow on harp at the drinks reception.

The UHNM Charity, particularly the Breast Care Centre in Stoke and Stafford, holds a special place in our hearts. It has provided essential treatment for Strategi Solution’s Managing Director Rob’s wife Sue, CEO Wendy Dean’s step-mum Eileen, and Office Administrator Jenna’s mum Jill all of whom have had breast cancer in the last 12 months.

When Sue Fisher received her breast cancer diagnosis in 2022 her response was that she had to put on her ‘big girl pants’ and get on with it, and so Big Girl Pants was born. The phrase stuck amongst her Peacock Club Girl Friends and served as a reminder that even when life becomes difficult, we can decide how we respond. Big Girl Pants celebrates the ability to be strong even when you don’t want to be, to be calm when you may not have the answers, and to remain positive through the most difficult of times.

Speaking at the event, Wendy Dean, CEO at Strategi Solutions and Big Girl Pants fundraising committee member said: “A huge welcome to our first, Big Girl Pants charity fundraising ball. We set ourselves a target of £20,000 for the breast care centre; we are now well on the way to achieving this and tonight, is the highlight of our fundraising. Big Girl Pants isn’t about Strategi, it isn’t about individuals, it’s about the future Sue, Eileen, and Jill’s of this world. It’s about the women and men who are going to need the services of the breast care centres in Stoke and Stafford over the coming months and years.”

Sue also spoke at the Big Girl Pants ball and said: “It is precisely one year and two days ago that I was diagnosed officially with an aggressive form of HER2 positive breast cancer. The support that my family and I have received over the last twelve months has been absolutely unbelievable, and there are far too many people to thank individually. Cancer isn’t so scary anymore, there are some amazing people doing some amazing work.”

Our highly-anticipated ball was just one of the many activities we’ve organized throughout the year to reach our fundraising goal. From sponsored events like the Born Survivor trial and a 12-hour fitness challenge to the Southport Half Marathon and the challenging Ironman in Italy, our dedicated fundraising team has left no stone unturned.

Looking ahead, we have a duo of Christmas events planned, including a Christmas Raffle and a Wreath Making class, all aimed at raising additional funds which will then be summed up and donated in January 2024 to buy equipment and facilities for the new Breast Care Centre being opened in Stafford next year.

UHNM Charity is a registered charity that provides millions of pounds in additional funding for University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust. The funding enables the trust to purchase state-of-the-art medical equipment and to enhance the patient experience and comfort for people who are cared for at County Hospital in Stafford and at Royal Stoke University Hospital in Stoke-on-Trent.

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