Start the weekend in style with a Pink Friday

I met up with a group of girlfriends at the weekend that I haven’t seen for ages. It can sometimes be so difficult to find a time where we can all meet up.

While discussing our next get together I suggested we try and hold a fundraising event during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October and raise some money. Sadly, in our group, we all know someone who has been affected by breast cancer so this is a cause very close to our hearts. We all agreed it was a great plan.
 
Last night I registered online to hold a Pink Fridays event for Breast Cancer Care. With the dark autumnal nights drawing in this is my chance to brighten up a Friday with my friends. It seems you can hold any kind of event, as long as it’s pink!

QVC and Breast Cancer Care's 10 year partnership

The relationship between QVC and Breast Cancer Care started 10 years ago and has grown from strength to strength.

Maybe like me, it was through QVC that you first became aware of the charity all those years ago and you’d love to know more or get involved. I know when I first got involved in the charity I knew immediately that I wanted to get involved on a more personal level and give what time I could to raising awareness and funds.

Throughout this time I have met some really inspirational people who do wonderful things. Also during the last five years I’ve had several people very close to me that have been touched by this disease. In fact, it appears to have been ever since I started volunteering (but sadly that’s not a coincidence its more the stark statistics).  
 

Exciting developments for the Breast Cancer Care show

I am thrilled to say that singer/songwriter Beverley Craven has confirmed she will be performing live at The Show. Beverley has herself experienced a diagnosis of breast cancer and we are delighted that she has chosen to support The Show and the models this year.

I also can confirm that ‘Loose Women’ and GMTV presenter Andrea McLean will be hosting the afternoon tea!

As I mentioned before, I will be there on the night along with other QVC presenters and some of our special guests as we will be filming the fashion show ready for our Be Aware Show You Care programme the week after. It’s such a lovely, inspiring event with entertainment and prizes galore.

As easy as one, two, TEA!

I went to Breast Cancer Care again this week and was really excited to see everyone getting ready for their Strawberry Tea campaign.  I’m really looking forward to the Strawberry Tea we’re holding at QVC – hopefully we will raise a good amount of money!

It’s so easy to host a Strawberry Tea – you could have a picnic, afternoon tea, a cake sale or your work tea-break with a strawberry twist. 

Join us at the Breast Cancer Care fashion show

Last night I went to The Breast Cancer Care fashion show committee meeting where I am a member. It was a bit of a rush as I was filming at 8pm but we had a really exciting meeting. There are always many developments and news on the event - I just love being involved.

We are excited about having secured Jeffery Archer as our auctioneer on the night. He will be auctioning some really fantastic lots including a holiday on Richard Branson’s private resort in South Africa and a round of golf with Darren Clarke at Queenwood! 
 

Would you like to take part in Breast Cancer Care's Ribbon Walk?

In 2007 I took part in Breast Cancer Care’s Ribbon Walk at Blenheim Palace. I walked the 10 mile route and it was an incredible day! The atmosphere was full of camaraderie and support and everyone was walking for either their own personal reason or just to raise money for Breast Cancer Care.

The sun was shining and we took in not only the grounds of beautiful Blenheim Palace but also local villages and spectacular farmland. The route was stunning and we were supported every step of the way by the BCC marshals and volunteers.
 
I’ve been thinking about either registering to walk again this year or to volunteer and support all the incredible walkers. Last year the Ribbon Walk events raised over £1.1 million for Breast Cancer Care and it would be amazing to try and beat this total this year! 
 

I'm now Vice Chairwoman of the BCC committee

Good day to everyone!
 
Last night was the monthly Breast Cancer Care meeting that I attended at the charity’s HQ. The picture (left) is of us discussing new ideas for fundraising.

I’ve been involved with BCC for four years now and last night I was asked to become Vice Chairwoman of the committee and am pleased to say I’ve accepted. Breast Cancer Care means so much to me and I will do all I can to support them.
 
Seeing as I’ve had such a terrific response to the volunteer programme in my last blog post, I thought when the time comes to ask for some assistance, I’ll post it on my blog and you can see if it's something you can help with.

Would you like to help with the BCC fashion show?

Last night I had my first Breast Cancer Care meeting of the year to get ready for the 2009 fashion show at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London. It's being held on Wednesday 7th October.

We start this early because there are so many things to organise. We are looking for sponsors, supporters and prizes, plus booking the celebrities and organising all the major components that go into this event. 

 

We’re going for a massive volunteer drive this year too. We have both an afternoon and an evening fashion show in case you’ve not seen the event before and we are always looking for volunteers to help out on the day.

 

If you are interested in volunteering at the event, and getting together for a natter in-between, please do let me know by leaving a comment below or maybe you have a friend that would like to help out.

 

I love volunteering for Breast Cancer Care; it gives me a real sense of achievement as the charity immediately implements ways of helping people with the disease as soon as they get the funds. It's easy to see the difference the charity makes in peoples lives.

 

I’m going to post regularly on here of various events that you can come along to. It would be a great way to meet you and for us all to do something worthwhile and fun. 

 

Hope you have a good week, and please let me know if you’d be interested in being a volunteer for the BCC fashion show.

 

Lots of love

Claudia

X

P.S. Watch this space for further details.

Working for Breast Cancer Care

Hi,

Last week I was a guest at a leadership dinner at the Hotel InterContinental in Park Lane, London.

This is an annual event in its first year that aims to provide stimulating conversation and an insight into the ways of a great leader whilst also raising money for Breast Cancer Care.

As a volunteer for Breast Cancer Care, I'm always pleased to support events like these. I met some interesting people and had a great time. Afterwards I meet some friends for a knees-up at a club that is frequented by Prince Harry.

I felt 101-years-old and laughed at myself for thinking the music was too loud and the girls in the club were 'far too young to be out so late' - surely a sign that I'm getting older.

Also, we had marvellous news this week as Zak our 10-year-old son passed his 11+ exams which allows him to go to Grammar School. He has worked so hard and we are so proud of him. 

I promised myself I'd be restrained when he told us the results but I couldn't help myself and promptly blubbered all over him, kissing and squeezing him.

"Alright Mum, that's enough now" he said. I'm so proud but boy, the stress was intense and I'm glad the whole thing is over now.

I'll be in touch soon.

Love Claudia X

Night out at the Divas II bash

My husband Steven and I were guests at ITV1's show Divas II at the weekend. We had a great time.

The glitzy music bash marked the end of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and had an amazing musical line-up. We were lucky enough to see more big names than you can shake a stick at - Rihanna, Leona Lewis, Pink, Gabriella Cilmi, Anastacia and legend Dionne Warwick.  The highlights of the BCC Fashion Show were also shown.