Fashion, Food and Fundraising

It’s Friday! So much has already been accomplished within the first week of March and we really would like to start this entry off with a big thank you to everyone who has been tweeting, blogging, and shouting about Macmillan Anglia.

There has also been so much support in promoting Cancer Awareness Month, where people have come together and made simple things like wearing teal nail polish, into big charitable statements.

We hope you enjoyed going through our Fundraising Ideas of the Month, too. If light-bulbs went off in your head as you read through it, please send through any suggestions at www.share.macmillan.org.uk.

Speaking of accomplishments, Norfolk and Suffolk fundraisers have been very successful with the Centenary Challenge. The Centenary Challenge is a big venture to raise funds for Macmillan’s 100th Anniversary; we’re asking 100 local businesses to sign up and raise £1,000 each throughout 2011. Whether it be through staff holding events, taking part in a sponsored challenge or by simply making a donation, there are lots of ways to get involved. So far, the results have been impressive, with 50 sign-ups in Norfolk and 45 in Suffolk.

‘The White Horse’ & ‘The Jolly Sailor’ in Norfolk organised a massive carol singing event; it was held in the public bar over Christmas and included a tombola raffle. In total, it raised over £1,505 for Macmillan Cancer Support.


Luke Wheeler, Macmillan Cancer Support Fundraising manager, said, ‘The work we do is entirely impossible without the generosity, ingenuity and passion of people like the staff at The White Horse & The Jolly Sailors who arrange this outstanding event. Their support really will go a long way in helping to improve the lives of people affected by cancer”.

The team at ‘Annie & Boo’ in Holt will also be doing their part for the Centenary by hosting a fashion show on Thursday 24th March at the Pinewood Leisure Centre. They are aiming to raise over £3,000 for Macmillan with a variety of attractions including: catwalk shows, image consultants and hair dressing. You can call them on 01263 712020 for information about tickets.

In Suffolk, the local ‘Willow Café’ in Hailsham has proven that local businesses can be equally as powerful as large ones, simply by turning fundraising into an everyday occasion. Not only do they donate a percentage of their own daily proceeds to Macmillan Cancer Support, they also organised an event for Pancake Day and have received some support from Trust Funds. ‘Willow Café’ already managed to raise £750 in just a few months!

Be sure to watch this space for further updates as to how the Challenge is progressing in East Anglia.


Also, just because it is focused on businesses does not mean that you as an individual cannot help out as even the smallest gesture such as paying for a bowl of soup at ‘Willow Café’ means an extra 20p for Macmillan Cancer Support – and it only takes just £25 for one hour of care for a cancer patient. No matter the size of your action, just remember that if we merge all our efforts we can make a massive difference to people’s lives.