Through my journey I’ve met some amazing people.  Many inspirational positive individuals who have taken their experiences and turned them into positive actions.  One such person is Sharon Fox.  Sharon and I met through Breakthrough Breast Cancer – we are both patient advocates.  Sharon lives in Tamworth and was diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age, with small children and a busy life.  She found that there wasn’t support for her in the local area and that in order to get the support she and her family needed, she would have to travel a fair distance – not possible when you’re very ill and have a family relying on you!

So, about the time when she was able to stand up again, she set out changing this.  She put her story online via a BBC documentary.  They filmed her highs and lows during and after surgeries and treatments.  This raised the profile needed for her to be better known locally.  She then set about finding an empty premises and then, the best bit, she put out a help request to the local community to help and support her in setting up a cancer centre in Tamworth!  People came from everywhere to offer building works, heating engineers, shop fitters, carpenters, carpets, furniture, fixtures, fittings, gifts, kettles, items to sell and, volunteers.  Within an incredibly short amount of time she was able to open the centre… not before she and her children sold their own items to raise extra cash to get it started.  Selfless.

I was touched to get a mention.

So tonight I was more than happy to contribute something to her venture.  I invited some friends to come with me, Liz, Kath, Zoe and I, dressed up, found masks and attended the Bells at the Belfry ‘Masked Ball’ this evening.  What a fabulous evening.  The evening started with a champagne reception then through to a stunningly decorated ballroom where the tables were sparkling, the food was excellent, the entertainment during dinner fabulous, a charity auction in which the bidding was ferocious and finally a live band and disco.  Brilliant.

We left with a assortment of successfully auctioned goodies and a calendar.  Here’s a few pics from the calendar of wonderful ladies who were affected by breast cancer posing for this calendar.

Loved the evening and know that this will have raised lots of cash to ensure the Sharon Fox Cancer Centre will continue for longer.

A wonderful write up on The Redfords website.