BRA Ladies Lunch raises £1,500 and kicks-off Christmas in style

Broomfield’s Breast Reconstruction Awareness support group (BRA) hosted their annual Ladies fundraiser lunch last Friday. The event brought together over a hundred supporters and group members to kick off Christmas in style whilst raising vital funds for the charity.

The well-attended lunch was another huge success, raising £1,500 to benefit BRA. Funds raised enable BRA to provide additional materials and activities to go above and beyond for women prior to and post breast reconstruction surgery.

Following a two-course lunch at the festively decorated Essex Barn at Channels Estate, BRA members and Founders of the support group Breast Friends, Caroline Sturman and Janine Aldis, shared their own experiences of cancer and reconstructive surgery. Their work for their not-for-profit organisation has seen them create a community for women when they need it the most and beyond. In addition, they generously support BRA with personal care packages to benefit women after surgery and beyond.

Breast Friends group member Liz also spoke at the event, she praised the group for giving her exactly what she needed at such a difficult time in her life. She said: “After being diagnosed with breast cancer following what should have been my last mammogram at 70 years of age, I was thrown into a journey of cancer without any warning.

“These ladies [at Breast Friends] were there when I needed them, I feel so lucky to have found the group. I wouldn’t be able to do what I can today without them, they listen, they care, they understand; they were the big hug that I needed.”

Following the success of the BRA lunch, Mid and South Essex Hospitals Charity has awarded £2,000 of charitable funding to the Breast Friends support group. Their funds will allow them to provide breast cancer patients at Broomfield Hospital with post-surgery and/or menopause packs for those experiencing symptoms during and following their treatment.