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Oct 2024
Ripon netball players launch fundraising month for Cancer Research UK
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Ripon City Netball Club swapped its purple kit for pink this week as members embarked on four weeks of fundraising for Cancer Research UK.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the club has a special reason to support the cause, as its founder and head coach Helen Mackenzie, won her battle with the disease after being diagnosed in 2009.
Within five years of her diagnosis, she had set up the all-inclusive community club which provides a platform for friendship, fitness and wellness for players of all ages and abilities and has three teams competing in the Harrogate District Netball League.
Helen told the Stray Ferret:
When I suggested to our ladies that we do something to support the charity, that will both raise funds and awareness, the response was instant and incredible.
As well as dressing in pink, we're going to organise a city-wide pumpkin carving competition on a breast cancer theme, holding a raffle and selling t-shirts, badges and other merchandise supplied to us by Rachel Speight-McGregor of Cancer Research UK.
During the month our members will be aiming to swim, run and walk a combined total of 500 plus miles - the distance between Ripon and Brest in northern France.
Helen Mackenzie. Pic Ripon City Netball Club
Helen added:
I'm pleased to say that our club sponsor Sam Barrett from Core Fitness is supporting the cause because his mum had breast cancer five years ago.
It's 15 years since my diagnosis and ensuing treatment and it is very uplifting to see how enthusiastic club members are about the month of activities ahead.
Among those involved in the fundraising is Ellie Adams, who is running a 'bra bank' which is collecting the undergarments for donation to the charity Against Breast Cancer.
She said:
Players are bringing in items that they no longer wear so that I can forward them on to the charity, which is paid £700 for each tonne of bras that it collects.
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