A GROUP of six women all affected by cancer will be baring all to raise money for Cancer Research UK.
Inspired by the Real Full Monty with Coleen Nolan, where eight female celebrities bared all in ITV’s The Real Full Monty: Ladies’ Night, the women will take to the stage at Firthmoor Community Centre on Saturday 26th October.
The women have all been affected by cancer themselves or seen those they love tackle the disease and stripping off is their way of raising awareness of the importance of checking your body for any changes as well as raise vital funds for research.
Emma Burrow, a volunteer at the Cancer Research UK shop on Post House Wynd, Darlington, said: “Knowing what’s normal for your body means you’re more likely to recognise something different. Spotting cancer at an early stage can save lives. We’ll be baring all on top and tastefully to highlight this message, but you don’t have to take your clothes off to show your support.
“Coming along to the event and making a donation will be a great way to back this group of brave ladies.”
As part of the ‘Bare All For Cancer’ night three local acts will be warming up the crowd before the women take to the stage. There will also be a DJ, tombola and raffle and the compere for the night is drag queen Miss Annbag.
Emma knows all too well the importance of events like this to raise money having been diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma eight years ago at just 25 years old.
Emma, who works full time at North East Ambulance Service but spends her spare time volunteering, had four rounds of chemotherapy and two stem cell transplants and relapsed three times. At one stage she was told that her cancer was terminal, but she’s now been in remission for three years.
Emma explained: “I had palliative chemotherapy, which actually put me in remission. I have suffered lots of side effects from treatment. It’s been a long, slow and difficult recovery, but I am now rebuilding my life. I’ve slowly built up my strength and confidence.
“This performance is our way of helping the charity and we can’t wait to take to the stage. We’re really supporting one another and have been having a great time learning our routine.”
As well as getting ready for the charity night the team are celebrating being shortlisted for a LoveDarlo Town Centre Business Award for ‘Best Customer Service Team’.
Emma added: “Our shop manager Val Trotter has recently announced she is leaving the charity after 17 years, so this will be her last event and we want her to go out with a bang. To top it off with a win at the business awards would be the icing on the cake.”
Doors for ‘Bare All For Cancer’ at the Firthmoor Community Centre, Burnside Road open at 6.45pm and the audience are in for a fun filled night packed with entertainment. Tickets can be bought from the Cancer Research UK shop in Darlington for £15.
For more information contact Cancer Research UK Darlington on 01325 380602.