This Saturday at the Hilton Hotel there is a very special event with an amazing story and ethos surrounding it. I met up with the organisers to find out more.
Deborah Marr and friend Jacqueline Rhodes are the ladies behind Hug in A Bag. Deborah had previously heard from a close friend in Sunderland who at that time had been diagnosed with breast cancer and received something called a Hug in Bag. She spoke of how the token of receiving something so thoughtful had became a really important thing, lifting her spirits and re-engaging her. Based on Deborah’s friend’s experience, she wanted to do the same for others diagnosed with cancer. Blackpool, sadly, has one of the highest rates of breast cancer diagnosis, with around 300 women and four men every year given the devastating news they have the condition.
Hug in a Bag is a gift which contains a variety of items such as a pashmina, beauty, cosmetic and pampering treats, a teddy bear called Hugo (a hug with an ‘o’), a cushion and other bits and pieces. The HUG stands for Help, Understanding and Glamour. It is put together with donations and delivered to patients throughout Blackpool through the volunteers who also create, distribute and create great fundraisers such as this weekend’s ball.
The Hug in a Bag charity was set up by three women in Sunderland who met and supported each other through treatment for breast cancer and now support Blackpool Hug in A Bag as a stand alone charity. The organisation has gone from strength to strength. Previous years’ fundraisers have made over £10,000 and this year they have already hit their £1o,000 mark.
Linda Nolan who will be co-hosting the event this year with Brian and Colleen Nolan (herself a breast cancer survivor). Expect a night themed in a Viva Las Vegas style with casino tables, a Rat Pack ensemble, auction, balloon gift raffle and there are some huge prizes on offer: a Hilton Hotel getaway break, Universal Film Studios prize, a Glasform Sculpture, Les Dawson vintage prizes amongst a ton of other things. I believe the event is sold out which is understandable when an event is run with such passion and love. These attributes are tangible when chatting to Deborah and Jacqueline.
Altblackpool are delighted to have been invited to support the event on the evening with a strong photography team in attendance: Jill Reidy and Dawn Mander of Two Old Birds Photography will be in attendance documenting the event. We can’t wait to see the excitement for such a great cause.
Find out more about them on their Facebook page.
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