Hundreds of women enjoyed a Vegas-style ladies’ lunch and fashion show to help raise money for Beechwood Cancer Care Centre.
The Viva Las Vegas Ladies Lunch, which was held at The Palace Hotel in Manchester, saw four brave Beechwood models take to the stage to take part in the fashion show with the professional models.
Cancer survivors Beverley Uddin-Khandakar and Julie Brammar, Kirsty Cooke, who has been given a terminal cancer diagnosis and Gary Rafferty, who’s 43-year-old wife Kirstie passed away last year with a brain tumour, all strutted their stuff to rapturous applause.
The day was hosted by Key 103’s breakfast show presenter Mike Toolan and Beechwood patron and actor Lee Boardman also attended and spoke about his family experiences of cancer.
Lee said: “I have lost two sisters and my dad to cancer and it was a very dark time for my family. Cancer is the ultimate leveler, it has been an awful experience but sadly one many people have been through.
“Beechwood is a fantastic place, and events like this really help to raise so much money, and I would like to thank everyone for helping Beechwood help so many people and their families.”
The event, sponsored by Brown Shipley private banking, Pareto financial services and Eventures, venue dressers, included a drinks reception, three-course meal, shopping, raffle, entertainment from singer Russell Shaun, a burlesque show by Cirque and fashion show by Fizz Fashion and Selfridges, Manchester.
Last year the event raised in excess of £30,000 – which provided ten-and-a-half days of Beechwood services for more than 120 people and it is hoped this year that figure will be exceeded, with the final totals still being counted up.
Beechwood Cancer Care Centre supports people from across the north west with every aspect of their journey with cancer and life limiting illness.
The staff and volunteers at Beechwood help patients and their families through the shock of diagnosis and each year the charity supports more than 2,000 people.
Angela Gray, fundraising manager at Beechwood Cancer Care Centre, said: “I would like to thank all of our sponsors for their continued support, the event would not be possible without them.
“It is amazing to see the courage of our Beechwood models and how support for them radiated through the room. There was not a dry eye.
“People realise it could so easily happen to them and I would like to thank everyone who attended.”
For more information on Beechwood go to their website or if you would like to fundraise email fundraising@beechwoodcancercare.co.uk.