Marilyn Yates

During the following two years I worked towards my target by taking part in a sponsored Crocus Walk, holding two Pink Parties - one at my Sports Club, and a second at my Breast Cancer Support Group. I reached my target in 2008 by gaining sponsors when I took part in an inter-club swimming competition.

In July 2010 I was invited to the Breakthrough Research Centre in London for the unveiling of their 4th Challengers Wall. I had decided to dedicate my fundraising to the memory of a close family member who had died from cancer some years before. I attended the unveiling of over 1000 Challenger names with 2 close relatives. We had the opportunity to hear about the work of Breakthrough, visit a research laboratory and meet members of Professor Alan Ashworth's research teams. I met other Challengers and heard the many ways they had reached their targets. It was a moving and inspiring visit and I came away determined to continue my fundraising, perhaps in some new and untried ways.

In the Spring of 2010 I had been invited by a friend to attend a Diminishing Lunch, and a few weeks later I held a lunch of my own. In August I thought that I could adapt this idea and start a series of Diminishing Pink Lunch Parties in aid of Breakthrough. I invited 6 friends to a Pink Lunch at the end of that month. I asked them to wear something pink and I provided a two course cold buffet lunch using pink ingredients where possible, and I offered pink drinks. Each friend, when invited, had agreed to donate £10 to the charity and, at their convenience, hold a similar lunch for 5 friends. These 5 would in turn ask 4 and so on until it simply becomes a meal for two - hence the name Diminishing Pink Lunch Party. Thus as many as 200 might take part.

This idea has the potential to raise over £2000 and it provides an enjoyable, occasion which then gives you the opportunity to come up with some interesting menus for your own guests. So far 4 of my original 6 guests have held their parties, and so it has continued. Two friends who lead particularly busy lives, plan to hold their parties early in 2011. So far I have raised £1060 and still more cheques are coming in.

People can be quite flexible in their arrangements. I chose to have a lunch party as many of my friends are retired. Some have preferred to hold a tea party, while others have included male friends for a dinner party. Some people have chosen to make a larger donation than £10 as they feel unable to hold a party of their own. Some just use it as an opportunity to make a donation to the charity in memory of a friend or relative. Breast Cancer is a disease which sadly touches so many of us.