Avocet Court Care Home in Ipswich held a month-long fundraising event for Breast Cancer Now during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This October, Avocet Court’s team, residents, and local community raised over £500 through various activities to support breast cancer research, treatment, and awareness.
The efforts, part of Athena Care Homes’ ongoing community support, reflect the care home’s dedication to charitable causes, with previous events supporting various organisations and raising awareness for different issues throughout the year. During October there was also a bake sale raising an additional £250 for Macmillan Cancer Support bringing the charity total to a whopping £750.
Throughout October, Avocet Court organised an array of engaging events and activities for residents, families, and staff to participate in, all while encouraging donations for Breast Cancer Now. Highlights included Kimya from Cancer Support Suffolk vising Avocet Court to deliver an informative talk, helping the care team and residents understand breast cancer’s impact and the importance of early detection through regular self-examinations. This educational session was a poignant reminder of how cancer affects lives in various ways and underscored the significance of the awareness month.
The care home went all-out on Wear It Pink Day as part of Breast Cancer Now’s nationwide campaign, where the Avocet team and residents wore pink attire to show their solidarity.
Thanks to the local Asda at Stoke Park, a hamper of goodies was up for grabs, which added excitement to the day. All those who dressed in pink were entered into a raffle, with lucky team member Manty winning the hamper. The involvement of local businesses like Asda added a community feel to the fundraising month, emphasising that breast cancer awareness and support extend to everyone.
The main event that stirred enthusiasm was Chef Kelvin’s daring leg wax challenge. Last year, Kelvin demonstrated his commitment to the cause by shaving his head, as breast cancer is especially meaningful to him due to his mother’s personal battle with the disease.
This year, he upped the ante, committing to a leg wax if the fundraising target was met. As a result, donations surged and everyone dug deep to support both Breast Cancer Now and Kelvin’s bravery. The event underscored how impactful a little humour and courage can be in raising awareness for a serious cause.
Beyond the fun and festivities, Avocet Court’s month-long dedication to Breast Cancer Now embodies a deeper purpose. Home manager Ruth Garnham expressed her pride in the home’s collective effort, saying, “I’m delighted with the total raised for Breast Cancer Now. Every person who contributed has helped us make a difference for those affected by breast cancer. A special mention has to go to Kelvin who got to experience how painful a full leg wax can be!”
Breast Cancer Now uses donations to fund studies such as the Generations Study, which tracks over 100,000 UK women to better understand breast cancer risks. Additionally, funds support programmes like Moving Forward, which helps individuals transition back to normal life post-treatment, and campaigns to advocate for improved cancer care.
Avocet Court Care Home’s Breast Cancer Now fundraiser is a testament to the impact that collective community efforts can make. Through fun events, awareness talks, and memorable challenges, Avocet Court demonstrated that supporting breast cancer awareness and research goes hand-in-hand with creating a supportive and engaged community. Avocet Court Care Home has certainly made Breast Cancer Awareness Month unforgettable, one wax strip at a time.
