National Association of Ladies' Circles - fun, friendship and fund-raising

Cancer Research UK (CRUK) are our National charity and we are delighted to be able to continue supporting them as volunteers and as fundraisers. At the AGM we were delighted to be able to handover a cheque for nearly £45,000.

These pages will highlight activities undertaken by Circle and advise of forthcoming events being organised by CRUK

...which was held @ the Corus Hotel, Stratford Road Solihull.

Apart from the good cause this event was in aid of it was another reason for Area 4 to celebrate, Helen Johns our Area Chair had the great pleasure of inducting 4 new members to the Area, Debbie Blunt, Anita Delaney, Julie Perkins & Anita Dyson.

Debbie Blunt - found out about Circle via the Shirley Circle website.
Anita Delaney - came to Circle as a personal contact via Helen who joined Shirley Circle in April this year.
Julie Perkins - came to Circle as a personal contact via Sonja who joined Shirley Circle in April this year.
And finally Anita Dyson – friend of Kayla’s and joined Sutton Circle

...By dressing in pink, pink food, pink decorations, and each Circle brought a 'Pink Game'. Hence the photo - with thanks to Vartan & Son, Peterborough (Stockbrokers) for providing back copies of the Financial Times! We had pin the tail on the Pink pig, Jenga, mask making - all sorts!

Other years we've gone and had a meal out for perhaps £15 a head, but this year, we thought that money would be better spent on the Charity itself.

So we hired a village hall (Buckden, Cambs) and paid £8 each. We shared the food and just had a really silly informal evening of fun and games.

We also arranged a speaker from CRUK. A raffle and donations from those who couldn't come boosted the total.

Coleshill Circlers and friends raised over £3,000 for Cancer Research UK by taking part in the 24 hour Relay for Life at Redditch.

Our congratulations go to the Relay committee for organising a brilliant event. The weekend was an outstanding success with with 500+ Candle of Hope dedications, 28 Teams, many survivors taking part in the survivors lap of honour and over £60,000 in total raised to support Cancer Research UK.

Our team thoroughly enjoyed the event, it was a roller coaster of emotions but in the main, tremendous fun and something we are very proud to have been part of. This poem, writen by Julie Rutkovich, a breast cancer survivor was read out on the day and says it all !!

I walked around a track today
I walked to help a disease go away
I walked because there is need
I walked that bodies could be freed

I walked to give a small child hope
I walked to help someone cope
I walked for a husband or a wife
I walked to help prolong a life

I walked with my head held high
I walked for one about to die
I walked excitedly not demure
I walked to help find a cure

I walked for everyone to see
I walked for you, and I walked for me !

Coleshill Circle and friends aka ‘The Desperate Housewives’ are entering a team in this years Cancer Research Relay for Life in Redditch . We will be donning our rubber gloves and feather dusters to take part in twenty four hours of fun, friendship and fundraising to beat cancer – starting at 12 noon on June 9^th and finishing at 12 noon on June 10^th

7 members of our 15 strong team! Pictured are Alison Calder, Julie Williams, Kayla Norman, Anna Richardson, Sarah Hughes, Sharon Taylor and Sam Cowley. Also in the team are Lisa Wilcox, Denise Field, Vicky Cawley, Chris Calder, Gail Ventress, Sandra Smith, Jas Madahar and Bev Evans.

What is Relay For Life?

Relay For Life is an inspirational community event designed to celebrate the lives of people touched by cancer and raise money for the vital work of Cancer Research UK.

At Relay For Life

Teams of people gather at race tracks, parks or sports fields and take turns walking or running laps. Each team tries to keep at least one member on the track at all times, whilst all around them a party is in full swing, including stalls, live music, quizzes and dancing.

Every Relay For Life lasts between 12 – 24 hours, always runs overnight and includes a Survivors’ Lap of Honour, and a tribute to those lost through cancer in a moving Candle of Hope Ceremony. A poignant reminder of why we are all working together to beat cancer.

Dedicate a Candle of Hope

As well as being a fun filled event, Relay For Life also gives you the chance to remember those touched by cancer. As night falls participants gather to pay tribute to friends, family and loved ones by placing Candles of Hope around the track.

Candles of Hope really bring home the true meaning of Relay For Life. It’s a chance for everyone to remember those who have been lost to cancer and to celebrate the lives of those who have survived the disease.

If any one would like to dedicate a candle of hope in memory or in celebration of anyone please get in touch with the Coleshill Relay Team Julie Williams 0121 729 1910.

Or visit out online team fundraising page.

If anyone would like to come along and give us some support on the day or help run some of the fundraising stalls we have planned for the day please feel free to come along and join us !!

We are thrilled to announce that in recognition of the contribution made by Ladies Circle to the success of the Race for Life Series 2007, we have been selected as a highly commended candidate in the outstanding support from a volunteering team category of the Race for Life Awards.

Well done to all those circlers around the country who have given their time and support through a variety of activities such as admininistrative roles. selling promotional CRUK items, marshalling of routes, finish line activities such as handing out goody bags/medals and even clearing up afterwards.

Since Race for Life began in 1994, Ladies Circle has contracted for circlers around the country to assist Cancer Research UK in what has become their biggest fundraising activity which has to date raised over £100 million for Cancer Research UK's lifesaving work.

Here are pictures of some of our circlers at the Race for Life events :

The 2005 series has been their most successful yet with 549,000 women coming together to raise £33.5 million - what a phenomenal achievement!!

Online entry opened on 16th January 2006 and although more races have been added this year places will fill up very quickly - so if you want to take part, please try and book in as soon as possible.

Relay For Life is a unique event that gives each community the chance to celebrate the lives of people touched by cancer while raising funds for vital research. Each Relay lasts between 12 and 24 hours and always takes place overnight. It is ! normally held at a park, running track or field. Teams of 8-15 supporters take turns to walk around a 'track' for the duration of the event. The whole community is invited to come along on the day to show their support and participate in the ceremonies that take place. Highlights of Relay For Life include the Survivors' Lap of Honour and the Candle of Hope Ceremony.

Relay for Life - 2^nd/3^rd July - Lynda Guest, Area 30 Chairman and Jennie Coombs - Area Chairman 04/05 supported Hutton and Shenfield Circle who organised the Relay for Life at the Brentwood Centre, Brentwood, Essex raising money in aid of breast cancer.��

Lynda says how they were in the registration tent, receiving forms and money, writing dedications on candle bags and putting sand and candles in them. It was quite poignant writing all the dedications, especially since many of them had lost someone they loved to cancer or lymphoma and it was quite moving at times.� The Brentwood Centre themselves were brilliant, most helpful, and also entered two teams.�� Lynda was delighted to be able to report that the event raised in excess of �6,500 pounds over the weekend. Excellent news indeed

Other CRUK Events

Details of other events organised by CRUK can be found by visiting their website and include;

Bike Rides
10K runs
Other running events
International Challenges

Click Here & Get Involved!!