A consultancy firm has exceeded its fundraising target two months early, raising over £20,000 in support of breast cancer care.
Daily Focus reported in May that Newcastle-under-Lyme’s Strategi Solutions was fundraising for the UHNM Charity because three women close to its team had received treatment for breast cancer at the University Hospitals of the North Midlands in the last 12 months.
Their fundraising efforts have been given the name Big Girl Pants as Sue Fisher, wife of Strategi’s Managing Director Rob Fisher said she had to put on her ‘big girl pants’ and get on with it when she received her breast cancer diagnosis in 2022.
Chief Executive Officer Wendy Dean’s step-mum Eileen Stanway and Jill Waring, mum of Office Administrator Jenna Griffiths have also inspired the fundraising.
A sell-out charity ball – supported by local businesses, suppliers and friends – took place at DoubleTree by Hilton Stoke-on-Trent at the end of last month and raised £13,710.
Speaking at the ball, Strategi’s CEO Wendy Dean said: “We set ourselves a target of £20,000 for the breast care centre; we are now well on the way to achieving this and tonight, is the highlight of our fundraising.
“Big Girl Pants isn’t about Strategi, it isn’t about individuals, it’s about the future Sue, Eileen and Jill’s of this world. It’s about the men and women who are going to need the services of the breast care centres in Stoke and Stafford over the coming months and years.”
Sue added on the night: “It is precisely one year and two days ago that I was diagnosed officially with an aggressive form of HER2 positive breast cancer.
“The support that my family, and me, have received over the last 12 months has been absolutely unbelievable, and there are far too many people to thank individually.
“Cancer isn’t so scary any more, there are some amazing people doing some amazing work.”
Strategi’s other fundraising activities have included a Born Survivor trial, a 12-hour intensive fitness challenge, the Southport Half Marathon and the arduous Ironman in Italy – a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and a full marathon.
Christmas events – including a raffle and wreath making class – have also been scheduled.
Donations for the cause are still being accepted via an online page here, with the total amount set to be donated in January.
The money will be used to buy equipment and facilities for the new Breast Care Centre being opened in Stafford next year.
