Julie Robinson

Louise, my sister-in-law asked me to become a Challenger and raise £1,000 for Breakthrough - a relatively new charity - in 1994 when she was going through chemotherapy for her breast cancer. Family and friends helped to fundraise and we organised a charity ball where Louise was a guest of honour, laughing and dancing the night away. It was a dreadful shock when just four months later Louise died, aged only 44, followed by Linden, also my sister-in-law, just two years later, aged only 47. Breakthrough then asked if I would set up a voluntary group to spread the word, raise funds and awareness in the local community - since then I've never looked back. Breakthrough represents a better future, it has helped me to do something positive and make a difference by turning helplessness into hope. I am very lucky to have had the support of so many lovely people on this journey and feel privileged to be part of our group - ‘The Breakthrough Babes.'

Julie Stephenson-Airey

About 15 years ago Julie Robinson asked if I would help with the organisation of a charity ball to raise funds for Breakthrough Breast Cancer in honour of her sister-in-law, Louise. As I had seen at first hand what a profoundly devastating effect this terrible disease can have on families I was only too pleased to be able to do something positive and have now been a part of the Sutton Coldfield Breakthrough Group since it began. During this time we have had a lot of fun fundraising and have met some of the most amazing people. I truly believe that one day, with everyone's help, Breakthrough will achieve their vision of a future free from the fear of breast cancer.

Jean Davies

My involvement with Breakthrough came about when Karen, our daughter, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002. Breakthrough was Karen's chosen charity because of their commitment to research and education and their ambition to eradicate this terrible disease. Karen raised thousands of pounds and along the way she touched the lives of everyone who met her. Karen died in September 2006, still so young at 37 and now I shall continue her vision to raise money, awareness and work towards a world free of cancer. I feel very proud to be part of the Sutton Coldfield group.

Kathy Caldwell

Karen Davies asked me to help her fundraise for her chosen charity, Breakthrough, in 2002. Karen had never done anything like this before and was determined to make a difference. We had a great time organising various events, Karen raised thousands of pounds and made many friends along the way. I decided to join our local voluntary group in 2005 and feel proud to be part of a strong team working toward the same vision - a future free from the fear of breast cancer. In 2006 our daughter-in-law aged only 38 years was diagnosed with breast cancer. I wanted to be pro-active in the fight against this devastating disease and so I have joined the Breakthrough Campaigning and Advocacy Network, asking our MP to support our campaigns and networking with others in the community.

Julia Booth

I lost my Mum when I was 22. My Mum was 46 when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer and 50 when she sadly died. Since then I have always supported breast cancer charities but had never been affiliated to a particular group. As I entered my forties I felt I wanted to redress this. Breakthrough appealed to me because of its' commitment to research and its' search for a 'future free from fear'. Although I am a relatively new member to the group I have been made to feel a vital part of it. It is full of enthusiasm and hope, it is pro-active not re-active. I am proud to be a member and hope to remove the fear for my children and their children.

Andrea Wright

I lost my mum when I was 19. She was 42 when she died of breast cancer in 1972. My two daughters never knew their grandmother and they have always known that I have lived with the fear of breast cancer all my life. They became involved with Breakthrough many years ago because of its commitment to research, holding pink parties and taking part in Race for Life. In 2006 I was diagnosed with hereditary breast cancer and found to have a faulty BRCA gene. Having come through all the available treatment I now feel I want to be pro-active and to get involved with fundraising events for Breakthrough in the hope that the future generations can be free from the fear of breast cancer.  Both daughters have recently undergone testing for this genetic mutation which has run through generations of our family. Unbelievably and so thankfully neither has inherited the faulty gene.

Aileen Dinnes

Unbeknown to me, I developed cancer when I was pregnant, and the overwhelming joy of the safe arrival of our premature son Alexander, turned to fear and devastation 7 weeks later when I was diagnosed with Grade 2 Breast Cancer. I underwent surgery, and completed a 9 months course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which was extremely hard with a new baby, however our little boy gave me the strength to fight.  I was introduced to Julie Robinson after she had heard about my illness, and nominated me for a wonderful make over, and the warmth and support I received from Julie was amazing.  I am now an active member of the Breakthrough group Sutton Coldfield, and I am blessed to be involved with some truly wonderful ladies, I want to give my support, and do something positive and help raise funds and awareness.

Emma Bates

Gay Cox

Vicky White

I became involved with Breakthrough breast cancer after my lovely cousin Karen lost her brave battle to it in 2006, she was 37 years old.

One of Karen's dreams was to walk the great wall of China and despite having raised thousands herself for Breakthrough, she never got to do this. I really wanted to do something in memory of Karen and so decided to complete her dream and take part in the Great Wall of China trek . Seeing someone so very close to me suffer really has made me want to become involved as much as I can and joining the Breakthrough Sutton Coldfield group has allowed me to do this.

Being a part of the local group I have also met a unique bunch of ladies who are all inspirational, in their own ways.  I raised over £6,000 on the China trek which was an amazing experience. I have also thrown myself out of a light aircraft at 12,000ft doing a skydive and completed the moonwalk in 2009.

Every bit really does count and I feel honoured to be part of a group of people who dedicate their valuable time fund raising for the vital research that Breakthrough undertake.

Karen’s mum who is my aunt, Jean Davis, is also a member of the group and continues to fundraise and dedicate her time to the cause.

We wouldn't be where we are today without the help of our ex-group members such as: Charlotte Wright, Fiona Callaghan, Sue Carpenter, Sharon Hilton, Dawn Holding, Margaret Campion, Jackie Townsend, Julia Longmore, Ruth Harland, Barbara Bagley, Sandra Ostins, Fiona Lowe, Jenny Hardy and Eileen Redfern, who still help us out at our events.

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