Masked Ball Raises £14,500 for Cotswold Breast Cancer Now

Charity Patrons, Laurence and Jackie Llewelyn-Bowen and committee members of the Cotswold Breast Cancer Now group were delighted to finally welcome guests to their Masquerade Ball on Saturday, at The King’s Head Hotel in Cirencester. Following a very difficult period during the pandemic, with all charity events and fundraising opportunities cancelled, people were desperate to get together and show their support. Breast Cancer Now is the UK’s largest breast cancer charity providing world-class research and life-changing care for people affected by breast cancer. 

The event in Cirencester was a sell-out and this year the charity raised the record amount of £14,500, thanks to a very generously supported Grand Auction, kindly led by Moore Allen & Innocent’s Roy Bowyer. 

Following a warm welcome from new co-chairs of Cotswold Breast Cancer Now, Tess Paolini and Cheryl Miller, guests were privileged to hear from Professor Antony Howell – Professor of Medical Oncology, former Director of Manchester Breast Cancer and Breast Cancer Now Research Unit and the UK’s first Professor of cancer prevention. Guests were reminded of the importance of regular breast checks. Around 6,000 women aged 45 or younger are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK each year and around 370 men are diagnosed each year in the UK. There are many reasons why someone might not check their breasts but doing so could make all the difference.

A delicious three-course dinner was served by the Hotel, accompanied by fine wines kindly chosen by Chateaux Wines. Following a very generous speed raffle, the Grand Auction contained a fabulous selection of key Lots donated from a variety of leading businesses and individuals, including Pinkster Gin, Dubarry, Cheltenham Racecourse, Dyson, Bath Pump Rooms, Superdry, C&R Legal Will Writing, Air Salvage International, author Ray Britain, sailing weekend to the Cornwall riviera with Chris Heath. The star auction item of the evening was a week for 10 in the French villa, La Bell Aurora in Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur. Guests then enjoyed dancing the night away to the fabulous Firefly Band from Cheltenham.

Cotswold Breast Cancer Now holds fun, fundraising events in honour of all those affected by breast cancer – past, present and future. They raise vital funds for Breast Cancer Now, the UK’s leading breast cancer research charity. If we all act now, we believe that by 2050, everyone who develops breast cancer will live.