We talk to Lisa Allen for World Cancer Day 2024, Lisa is Head of Coporate Partnerships and Fundraising at The Pink Ribbon Foundation, a breast cancer charity designed to help support those affected by breast cancer.
Can you share an overview for World Cancer Day 2024 and The Pink Ribbon Foundation and provide insights into the mission of the Foundation?
The Pink Ribbon Foundation (Reg. Charity No. 1080839), established in 2000, aims to provide grants to UK-based breast cancer charities. Annually, the Foundation raises funds and awards grants, supporting vital services like counseling, wig advice, complementary treatments, and educational tools. These grants also cover free products/services such as chemotherapy bags, outings, and holidays for individuals affected by breast cancer.
Distinguished from many other charities, the Foundation operates with minimal infrastructure, comprising one full-time self-employed member (Lisa Allen) and three volunteer Trustees.
Operating without physical offices, the charity works remotely to minimize running costs, ensuring a maximum contribution to the charities they support.
In what ways does the Pink Ribbon Foundation engage with the community to raise cancer awareness and support for its mission?
World Cancer Day 2024:
The Foundation relies on the goodwill and support of many individuals and companies who rally together to support those affected by breast cancer.
Events and opportunities to help are communicated via its website (www.pinkribbonfoundation.org.uk) and social media channels. The charity has a good list of celebrity Patrons and Ambassadors, including Anthea Turner, Julia Bradbury, Christine McGuinness, Gaia Wise and Nina Wadia who are always keen to help and lend their name to the cause.
The Pink Ribbon Foundation regularly hosts events and campaigns for World Cancer Day 2024 such as its annual PINKLondon gala, Walk a Mile a Day sponsored walk, SHOOT4PINK sporting activities and Catwalk for a Cause, a sustainable fashion show. As well as this there are many opportunities for individuals or groups to organise their own fundraising initiatives in aid of the charity, such as skydiving, adventure weekends and wear pink days.
The emphasis is always on fun and inclusivity.
In 2020 the Foundation launched its own sustainable fashion line with British company Teemill. The official charity store regularly adds new clothing designs which are made using 100% organic cotton in factories which use renewable energy, printed to order and delivered plastic free.
The charity has collaborated with talented individuals and well-known faces such as Kylie Minogue, Claire Richards, Ella Rae Wise and Erica Bergsmeds (photographer) and will soon be launching a new collection with Real Housewives of Cheshire star, Rachel Lugo.
Could you elaborate on any specific success stories or impactful projects that the Pink Ribbon Foundation has been involved in since its inception?
One of the most satisfying grants recently awarded by the Pink Ribbon Foundation, was to a charity called Something To Look Forward To (STLFT), founded in 2015 by one family affected by cancer to improve the lives of thousands of other families affected by cancer across the UK. After receiving a very generous donation from the Morrison family, the Pink Ribbon Foundation passed this on as a grant to STLFT, along with a top up amount to enable the charity to purchase its very own an 8-birth caravan at Parkdean Manor Park in Hunstanton, Norfolk. STLFT is now able to provide free holidays to families affected by breast cancer and cancer poverty.
The caravan has been named “Eve’s Place” in memory of Eve Morrison, who was an avid supporter of the Pink Ribbon Foundation during her lifetime and whose financial gift in her will enabled the caravan to be purchased.
The caravan is used by 48 families every year, allowing them to enjoy a free week-long holiday by the sea and a break from the world of cancer.
World Cancer Day 2024
For those interested in getting involved, what opportunities are available, and what steps can individuals take to participate or support the Pink Ribbon Foundation initiatives?
There are many opportunities to support the Pink Ribbon Foundation and for World Cancer Day 2024, either as an individual, organisation or company. A one-off donation can easily be made via the charity’s website and fundraising pages can be set up for any sponsored activities.
The Foundation also works with many fantastic brands and companies who donate from the sale of their products to the cancer charity meaning that you can purchase fabulous items knowing that you are also supporting a good cause. Many of these organisations are listed on the Foundation’s website with links to buy, including items from SEBO, Flamingo Candles, Glasses Direct, Eloise Lingerie, Heartsease Farm, Hastings Direct, MERLYN, Valspar and Ocean Spray.
The latest fundraising campaign from the Pink Ribbon Foundation is the first Pink Duck Race (UK) – a simple fundraising initiative whereby a Pink Duck is adopted for a £5.00 donation and a unique code given for a planned duck race in 2024. This is a great way to support the cancer charity as a family, and the winner of the race will receive a gold duck and there will be many other prizes too. More details can be found at www.pinkduckrace.com and the race can be watched live or followed online.
