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| Christine Cutting The Cake |
The Somerset Group was formed in 1997 by Christine & John Piper, Ann Carr and Anne Whaley.
The idea of the group was Christine's’ after she saw Sir Ranulph Fiennes on the television talking about his attempt to walk across Antarctica in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer and this was her inspiration, as well as the fact that Christine’s mother had breast cancer in the very early sixties, plus Christine has had Breast Cancer twice. Fellow group member Susie Loosley, who has been with the group for 14 years, is also a survivor of breast cancer.
Christine Piper, Chair of the group says “We have had loads of fun over the years fundraising for Breakthrough Breast Cancer to help and support their work to achieve a future free from the fear of breast cancer. We’ve met some wonderful people, from our first ever event with a group of children from St Mary’s Church in Berrow when we set off 100 pink Balloons, to a Tug of War at Burnham Rugby Club, Wicked Women Evenings, Quiz Nights, Golf Events and we even did the Moonwalk! Plus lots, lots more.
Our most memorable was our “Twist on the Beach” in 2002 when we set a new Guinness World Record & people still talk about that event today!
2011 saw us achieve the World's Largest Rugby Scrum at Burnham Rugby Club, when we broke the world record, but only for a short time. However, we achieved some lovely publicity for Breakthrough Breast Cancer in The Sun & Christine was even interviewed on Talksport by Paul Hawksbee and Andy Jacobs. We are attempting to do this event again this year and 2012 also sees our group holding our 4th Ball, which have been very successful and of course loads of fun!!
We are very lucky to have the support from Mayor & Mayoress Michael & Maria Clarke.
Throughtout our 15 years, we are very proud to have raised awareness of breast cancer in Somerset by supporting other events and giving talks. We are also VERY thankful for all the support we've received helping us fundraise over an incredible £300,000 for Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Christine says “ A huge thank you to everyone for their support for the last fifteen years and here’s to the next fifteen”!!
We are very pleased to announce that Bernie Nolan (The Nolans Sisters) agreed to be The Somerset Breakthrough Breast Cancer group’s Patron...... Bernie sent this message...
“Congratulations to the Somerset Breakthrough Breast Cancer Group on your 15th Anniversary. Making and keeping people aware of early detection and of course raising money for much needed research is vital and you have done a wonderful job over the past 15 years.
Goodness knows how many lives have been prolonged if not saved through your amazing work.
With all out best wishes and Thanks from all of us Breast cancer survivors.. Bernie Nolan XXXXX"
Tessa Munt MP has supported our group for a number of years...
“ The Somerset Breakthrough Breast Cancer Group are a truly wonderful group of people who have worked tirelessly over the last fifteen years, raising over £300,000 to help improve the situation of women and men with breast cancer in Somerset. I commend the important work they do to raise awareness of breast cancer and the support and morale boost they give to local people affected. Tessa”
We as a group know about how breast cancer touches people. In April 2010 we lost group member Julie aged just 35yrs to breast cancer. Unfortunately Julie wasn’t aware of the different signs of breast cancer, so we designed a poster “Julie’s Legacy” which gives information about breast cancer. We really do need to get the message out there, not only for Julie but for every woman & man. 48,000 women & 300 men are diagnosed each year this number has gone up since we formed our group in 1997 and this is very sad!!
We would like to say a very big Thank you to everyone everyone who has supported our events and also held your own to raise funds for Breakthrough Breast Cancer.
Chair of the Somerset group, Christine says “If there is anyone who would like to join our group,we would like to hear from you! Together, we’re joining a force of thousands of like-minded people across the UK working together with a single-minded ambition to stop women dying from breast cancer. We hope you’ll join us”
Without you we could not do our work and Breakthrough Breast Cancer could not do theirs so a BIG Thank you to you ALL!
Here's a link to article on Burnham-on-Sea.com
http://www.burnham-on-sea.com/news/2012/cancer-group-anniversary-13-03-12.php
