A GROUP of friends, who have raised almost £600,000 for Marie Curie, are getting ready to host a Pink Ball.
Julie Hayward, Jo Hayward, Debra Wyatt and Tina Jacobs have taken their hand to a whole host of activities from car washes with West Midlands Fire Service to Ladies nights, cycle rides and their popular annual Pink Ball in honour of the charity.
Julie Hayward, set up the Lillian Goodfellow group of friends (LGGF) group in January 1999 in memory of her mum Lilian Goodfellow who was cared for by Marie Curie prior to her death from breast cancer.
The 2024 Pink Ball will take place on October 12 at the National Motorcycle Museum in Solihull.
There will be a three course dinner, live band and DJ for all to enjoy.
Julie said: “My mom got diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998, she was only 65 and had just retired. After a hard fought battle with cancer she spent the final days of her life being cared for by the Marie Curie Hospice in Solihull at their former site -Warren Pearl.
“The care given by Marie Curie enabled us to spend time with her and we knew the care she was receiving we couldn’t possibly have given on our own. We stayed every night, even had tea and toast in the early hours.
“Marie Curie not only looked after mom but also looked after us as a family in what were the worst few weeks of our lives.
“We can never ever thank Marie Curie enough and will be forever grateful for the love dignity and care they showed us all as a family in our darkest time, and in the years since mom died we know of other friends and families who have experienced the same care and compassion.”
In 2013 Marie Curie moved to its new home in Marsh Lane where there is in-patient care, a Support and Wellbeing Hub, specialist care at home and bereavement support on offer to adults, children and young people.
Amy McNaughton-Brown, deputy head of fundraising for Marie Curie in the Midlands, said: “Julie and her amazing band of friends and family have been fundraising for Marie Curie for 25 years which is phenomenal. The team work extremely hard to raise money for us whilst looking after their own families and working full time.
“Despite their connection to us being over 25 years ago, the ladies continue to fundraise and support us tirelessly to ensure we can help people in the region have the best possible end of life, at home or in our hospice.”
Tickets cost £60 per person and are available by emailing Tina on [email protected]
