The Northumberland Club in Jesmond has held a flower-arranging and fund-raising event to raise awareness of breast cancer, the most frequently diagnosed cancer in the country.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and the 15 women who came to the Northumberland Club last Friday were welcomed with a large tray of pink cupcakes, pink chocolates and several bottles of Prosecco.

Clare Haddon, marketing manager at the club and one of the event’s organisers, said the awareness and fund-raising idea had come from personal experience of the illness. “It’s an issue close to our hearts. One of our staff members has suffered from it and I have a relative who has had it too,” she said.

According to Haddon, the club holds an annual Wear It Pink-Day with a different theme each time.

“We had a pamper party last year with hand massages and makeovers and previously we’ve had karaoke. This year is a little different as the participants are learning a new skill while raising money.”

Wear It Pink is the main fundraising event by Breast Cancer Now, the UK’s largest breast cancer research charity, according to its website. It aims to raise awareness through encouraging people to dress in pink and to donate to research.

The flower-arranging was demonstrated by Marion Hinchley, a hired instructor from the National Association of Flower Arrangements Societies. “I’ve been demonstrating for 18 years. It’s exciting, they learn a new skill and it’s beneficial for the association as well as the people participating.”

Hinchley also answered questions from the audience that ranged from what tools to use and where to buy flowers, to how to arrange them. “I hope I will inspire some of you to do this,” she said. One of the attendees, Jesmond resident Lucy Waring, said she enjoyed the event as it was supporting a good cause and also because “it’s nice to watch someone create in front of you”. 

At the end of the event £1 raffle tickets were sold for a chance to win one of the five flower arrangements demonstrated by Hinchley. 

According to Breast Cancer Now, one in eight women in the UK will suffer from the illness during their lifetime, with more than 11,000 women dying from it every year.

“A lot of people are affected by cancer and I think that people like the theme of this event,” said Clare Haddon. “Events like this brings people together. Jesmond is known for being friendly and the Northumberland Club fits well into that with a great mix of people and no hierarchy.” 

To read more about Breast Cancer Now and Wear It Pink, visit wearitpink.org.