Lune ladies go 'pink' with support (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Lune ladies go 'pink' with support

2:42pm Friday 1st August 2008 in Cancercare By Lizzie Anderson

WOMEN in the Lune Valley have been dressing up in their finest pink attire for a charity luncheon with a decidedly ladylike twist.

At what proved to be one of the prettiest fund-raising events of the year so far, more than 40 women flocked to the home of Judie Graham-Clegg at New-ton, near Kirkby Lonsdale, for the Pink Luncheon for Ladies – a pink-themed party in aid of the CancerCare Silver Jubilee Appeal.

Putting her background in catering to good use, Mrs Graham-Clegg served up a selection of pink delicacies, including salmon, prawns, ham and beetroot jelly, as well as variety of pink puddings, from pink meringues to tempting summer treats made using fresh raspberries.

“Everything that could possibly be pink was pink,” she explained. “We had pink flowers, pink table cloths and napkins and we drank glasses of pink cava and pink fruit juice. We even had a pink-themed raffle with prizes donated by businesses in Kirkby Lonsdale and the guests themselves.”

Although the mood on the day was extremely jovial, Mrs Graham-Clegg is still receiving letters from her guests expressing what a good time they had, the purpose or the party was much more serious.

All of the money raised on the day – an impressive £800 - was donated to CancerCare, which provides free therapy, counselling, friendship and support to local cancer patients and their families in the South Lakes and north Lancashire.

Mrs Graham-Clegg, who has supported CancerCare for several years, explained how she had wanted to do something extra-special for the charity in its silver jubilee year.

“I think the work it does in the area is extremely important,” she said. “I personally haven’t had anybody in my family suffer from cancer, but I have lots of friends who have been affected by the disease and they received tremendous support from CancerCare.”

The CancerCare Silver Jubilee Appeal was launched earlier this year and aims to raise £2.1m to revitalise and expand the charity’s centres on Blackhall Road in Kendal and Slyne Road in Lancaster, which is essential if the charity is to meet the increasing demands on its services.

For a chance to meet some of the staff at the Lakes Centre on Blackhall Road and to make a valuable contribution to the appeal, why not drop by the CancerCare Coffee Morning on Saturday, August 9, between 10am and noon.

Tea, coffee, cakes and biscuits will be served and a raffle will be held at 11.30am.